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Monday 17 Oct 2005

£4.2 MILLION FOR PRESTON LEVEL CROSSINGS

Region & Route:

A series of level crossings near Preston is being upgraded in a £4.2 million scheme aimed at helping pedestrians and road users of these busy thoroughfares. Bamber Bridge crossing,  Mintholme crossing and Hospital crossing, which are all on the Preston to Blackburn  line, are in line for renewal work that is due for completion by the end of next year. Gary Openshaw, Network Rail’s area general manager in Preston said: “This £4.2m project marks a significant investment in enhancing the safety for pedestrians and road users at these crossings. “Level crossings are always safe if used correctly and users must follow the roadside instructions when using level crossings to ensure their safety.” The majority of the work will be carried out on Bamber Bridge level crossing where the crossing will be widened to provide a two metre wide footpath on either side of the crossing. To carry out this work, it is necessary to infill the subway beneath to provide secure foundations for the level crossing and the subway has now closed permanently. The work will also require a major telecommunications cable diversion and some minor track renewals. Network Rail has been in discussions with the local council to keep them informed of the planned work and they have accepted that the subway closure is necessary in order to enhance the safety of the crossing above. Initial work will require a closure of Station Road from 10 pm on Saturday 26 November to 5.30 am on Monday 28 November and from 10 pm on Saturday 3 December to 5.30 am on Monday 5 December. Local diversions will be put in place by the highway authority. The main work will take place in November 2006 to renew all three crossings. The renewal work will include replacing all barriers, signalling equipment and signs at the crossings.