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Friday 8 Apr 2011

NO MORE WET WINTERS ON BLACKBURN STATION

Region & Route:

That’s the prospect for passengers who use platform four at the town’s station following confirmation from Network Rail that it is to build a new canopy by the time the next winter sets in.

Platform four was the only one at the station that did not get covered over when the station was virtually rebuilt a few years ago. At the time, it was hardly ever used but now trains regularly call at the platform and passengers have to wait in a bus stop style shelter.

Disabled passengers and people with luggage or children in buggies have not been forgotten either. As part of the same project, Network Rail will build a new lift to serve the platform so passengers will no longer have to struggle up a steep slope from the subway.

Network Rail route director Jo Kaye said: “The lack of shelter on platform four is the one thing that passengers have told us they want resolved more than anything. Now the funding has been secured, we will make sure they have the new facilities before the winter weather arrives.”

The work will cost about £1.7m and is funded from the Department for Transport’s Access for All and National Stations Improvement programmes and includes a contribution of approximately £200,000 from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

Brian Bailey; director for regeneration said: “This is another step in delivering our plans to improve the borough’s rail links and passenger facilities. The two shelters on platform four were always meant to be temporary and we are delighted the work is due to start.

“By carrying it out just as Network Rail is making improvements for disabled passengers, we have been able to make savings and ensure that the money goes further.”

The canopy will extend to cover almost the entire length of the platform, including the slope from the subway, which is currently exposed.

Seats will be provided under the canopy, which will be lit and will be covered by CCTV to give passengers additional security.

The passenger information screen will be relocated to the underside of the canopy and there will be speakers for the station public address system.

Lee Wasnidge, area director for Northern Rail, commented: "The new canopy will certainly be of huge benefit to our passengers on Platform four. Blackburn station is set for a number of improvements that we are delighted are happening."

To the rear of the platform a new windbreak will be provided which will incorporate the ‘Gandhi’ artwork that the station is famous for.

New directional signs will be installed and community notice boards will be provided on both platform four and the main platforms.

The new features will have the same look and feel as the rest of the station because Amco, the contractors carrying out the work, have managed to find blue tiles to match those used throughout the station.

Work is expected to start in May and will take approximately five months to complete.

During this time, platform four will be closed, but there will be no effect on train services which will be diverted to alternative platforms.