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Thursday 19 Nov 2020

Passengers and road users reminded of Blackburn level crossing work this weekend

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: North West

Passengers and road users are being reminded of essential upgrades to railway track and at a level-crossing in Lancashire starting this weekend.

The £2.1m Great North Rail Project investment will see Daisyfield level crossing modernised in Blackburn.

Railway track will also be renewed between Preston and Blackburn to make future journeys smoother and more reliable for passengers.

Road and railway closures will be needed for the work to be carried out over three consecutive weekends starting from 21 November.*

While the railway is closed Network Rail will be:

• Replacing Daisyfield level crossing gates and installing lighting
• Moving the associated signalling and telecoms equipment
• Replacing two signals with modern LED ones
• Carrying out track improvement work between Preston and Blackburn (Hoghton + Entwistle)

Train operator Northern will run rail replacement buses to get people to where they need to be.

Passengers are being advised to check www.nationalrail.co.uk to plan their specific journey in advance.

Mark Rothwell, project manager for Network Rail said: “Making Daisyfield level crossing and the railway track between Preston and Blackburn fit for the future will mean fewer delays and more reliable journeys for both motorists and passengers. This essential work as part of the Great North Rail Project will mean some disruption in the short term and for that I’d like to thank people in advance for their patience.

“Passengers are advised to check with train operator Northern or at www.nationalrail.co.uk so they know what to expect from their journey while the work is taking place.”

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “The work to upgrade the railway in Lancashire will help futureproof our network and will deliver a more resilient railway for our customers.

“We will work closely with colleagues from Network Rail to keep disruption to a minimum during the engineering and will do all we can to keep our customers on the move.”

Passengers are asked to continue following Government guidance around the use of public transport.

Travellers must wear a face covering on train services and any replacement bus services. Those who fail to do so risk being fined £200.

However, some people are exempt, including young children and people with hidden disabilities or breathing difficulties.

For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers