Tuesday 3 May 2011
YOUR CHANCE TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT BLACKBURN STATION IMPROVEMENTS
- Region & Route:
Blackburn commuters are being invited to meet the project team that is about to transform their wet, wintery waits for trains on platform 4 into dry, desirable departures.
People from Network Rail, its contractor Amco, train operator Northern and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council will be at the station between 7 and 9.30 am, and 4 and 6.30 pm on Tuesday 10 May.
Passengers will be able to talk to the team about the improvements being made at the station and be reassured that the work will have no effect on train services once it starts.
Alan Howarth, Network Rail’s project sponsor, said: “The changes we are making mean getting to platform 4 and the time spent on it will be a much more pleasurable part of the journey.
“Even so, I know some passengers will have concerns about their daily journeys once the work starts. This will be our opportunity to listen to them and provide the answers and information they are looking for.”
Work starts on Sunday 22 May when platform 4 will close for approximately five months.
Mr Howarth explained: “During the first couple of weeks our contractor Amco will be carrying out preparatory work such as ground surveys and analysing the results.
“When the work starts in earnest, the first thing we will concentrate on is the subway alterations, building the new lift shaft up to the platform and installing the lift.”
The second phase of the work will be to construct the canopy that will cover almost the entire length of the platform, and then fit out the seating, lighting, public address speakers, information screens and CCTV system.
The entire project is due to be completed before the next winter sets in.
Notes to editors
Timescales:
- The project team considered keeping the platform open throughout the work but the cost of the work would have risen, meaning less canopy coverage than is now planned for the money available, and the work would have taken three times as long, lasting throughout the winter, thereby causing greater impact and disruption for passengers.
Funding:
- Department for Transport from its ‘Access for all’ and ‘National Stations Improvements Programme’ funds - £1.5m
- Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council - £200,000
Total £1.7m
Scope of work is:
Platform 4 work
• Install a lift to service Platform 4 from the underpass;
• Provide a canopy that will offer protection from the elements;
• Provide windbreaks to the rear of the platform;
• Incorporate the mural feature within the windbreak structure;
• Surface the platform to the underneath of the canopy.
Customer Information
• Move the current customer information screen;
• Provide public address to the underside of the new canopy;
Passenger Waiting Facilities
• Install passenger seating in the under canopy area;
Security
• Install CCTV cameras for coverage to the under canopy area;
Lighting
• Install lighting to the under canopy area;
Signage
• Install signage to the under canopy area;
Provide Community Notice boards to Platform 4 and Platforms 1/3
Contact information
Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41
Latest travel advice
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Journalists
Network Rail press office - North West & Central Region
0330 854 0100
NWCmediarelations@networkrail.co.uk
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