29.11.16
Weekend closures between Preston and Blackpool expected in January
Passengers between Preston and Blackpool have been warned to expect service closures at weekends in the New Year as Network Rail carries out upgrade work.
Trains between Preston and both Blackpool North and Blackpool South stations will be replaced by buses for 10 weekends from 21 January.
The closures are needed to allow Network Rail to upgrade the track and improve drainage between Poulton-Le –Fylde and Salwick.
Alison Rowley, programme manager for Network Rail, said: “There is never a good time to affect journeys but we have planned the work to affect the least amount of passengers for the shortest amount of time.
“This is essential work and I’d like to thank passengers in advance for their understanding.”
Network Rail will hold three information events about the closures on the following dates:
- 2 December at Kirkham Community Centre 4pm-7pm
- 8 December at Lund Vicarage, Salwick 4pm-7pm
- 15 December at Blackpool Central Library 4pm-7pm
Northern Rail, which operates the line, has pledged to improve its services after Arriva took over the franchise, including by replacing the 1970s Pacers with 281 modern carriages.
Sharon Keith, regional director at Northern, said: “Our improvements will only have the desired impact if they are supported by infrastructure modernisation, and the 10 weeks of work, carried out by Network Rai at weekends to keep disruption to a minimum, is absolutely crucial.”
The closure will also allow Network Rail to prepare the line for electrification, ahead of the goal of introducing electric trains between Preston and Blackpool North from May 2018.
Electrification work led to more weekend closures on the line between June and October this year, and further closures are expected in late 2017 to complete the works.
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