Media centre

Thursday 22 Feb 2018

Find out more about railway revolution between Preston and Blackpool

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

Residents living near the railway between Preston and Blackpool and passengers who travel between the two are invited to find out more about the final phase of upgrade work.

The drop in sessions, which will take place throughout February and March, provide an opportunity to get the latest information and ask the project team any questions.

The drop ins will take place on:
- Wednesday 28 February: 4pm – 7pm, T Kirkham community Centre, Mill Street, Kirkham, PR4 2AN
- Tuesday 6 March: 2pm – 6pm, at Blackpool North station, Talbot Road, Blackpool, FY1 2AB
- Tuesday 20 March: 4pm – 7pm, at Poulton Civic Centre, Breck Road, Poulton-le-Fylde, FY6 7PU
- Monday 26 March: 4pm – 7pm, at St Walburges Church Hall, Weston St, Preston PR2 2QE

As part of the Great North Rail Project, the 19 week railway revolution to upgrade and electrify the line between Blackpool and Preston started on 11 November. Blackpool South station reopened last month as the first phase of the upgrade was completed. So far work has taken place to expand Kirkham & Wesham station and install a new modern signalling system.

The upgrade equates to a £1,800 investment for every person living in Blackpool.

To complete the transformation, Network Rail is carrying out vital upgrades to platforms and signalling equipment between Kirkham and Blackpool North. The route is also being electrified to allow more modern and spacious electric trains to run.

Noel Connolly, head of programme management for Network Rail, said: “Work to transform Blackpool’s railway is progressing at pace. The work forms part of the Great North Rail Project and will deliver better, greener and more efficient services for passengers in the north.

"Our public information events are a time to find out more and ask us any questions about the work and the benefits. I’d like to thank local residents for their patience while we carry this out and assure them we are taking all possible measures to keep disruption to an absolute minimum.”

Northern is operating an hourly train service between Preston and Blackpool South and running a replacement bus service for passengers travelling to all stations on the line to Blackpool North. Passengers are advised to check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk.

The upgrade is a key strand of the multi-billion-pound Great North Rail Project, a railway industry team effort to transform train travel for customers across the north. The upgrade will make the railway bigger and better to cater for the increased volumes of people forecast to want to use it in future.

To find out more about this work please visit our website at www.networkrail.co.uk/blackpool. Any residents who cannot make the drop in and have any questions can call our 24 hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.