Media centre

Wednesday 16 Jan 2008

RAIL WORK TO SPEED UP SERVICES

Region & Route:

Network Rail is to carry out work at a number of locations on the ‘East Lancs Line’ on 26 and 27 January to remove various temporary speed restrictions that have been delaying trains. The speed restrictions were imposed to ensure trains could continue to run safely until the work was completed, but it has led to late running and inconvenience for passengers. Work at Bamber Bridge will remove a 20mph restriction, bringing the train speed up to 50mph and reducing journey times by 60 seconds. At the same time the tracks through the station level crossing will be renewed. This will mean the closure of the crossing and local road diversions will be put in place. At Blackburn, there is a complicated track layout including several crossovers, used for switching trains from one line to another. Work will mean track speeds will be increased to 50mph, saving nearly one and a half minutes. The final piece of work will be at Todmorden, saving nearly three quarters of a minute on journey times. As a consequence of all the work, train operator Northern will be replacing its normal services on the line on Sunday 27 January with alternative road transport between the following stations:-

• Blackpool North – Hebden Bridge
• Blackpool South – Colne
• Clitheroe – Bolton

Passengers should check their travel plans with Northern, call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or log on to www.nationalrail.co.uk