Weekend engineering work will take place between Preston and Blackpool stations (North and South) and will start on 21 January, with no trains running between the stations. This will allow Network Rail to carry out essential work including lowering the track and carrying out upgrade work in the Poulton and Salwick areas.
How will this affect services and stations?
This will affect services between Preston and Blackpool (North and South stations). There will be replacement bus services in place for the duration of the weekend work between the stations. The replacement times will be available on www.nationalrail.co.uk 10 weeks ahead of your travel time.
What benefits will you get from the work?
The work is being delivered as part of the £1bn+ investment to improve rail travel in the north of England: better connecting people to jobs, services, friends, family, education and leisure opportunities. Electrification will help to provide a reliable and sustainable railway for generations to come – tackling overcrowding and reducing the cost of operating the railway. From May 2018 greener, cleaner and quieter trains will run on the route between Preston and Blackpool North.
What work is involved in this project?
The work involves the completion of upgrades to bridges and structures along the route, strengthening of railway embankments, assessment of pedestrian and vehicular level crossings, clearing of overgrown vegetation, undertaking piling work to install foundations for masts that will carry electric wires, as well as the installation of those masts and wires.
There will be further closures of the line later in 2017 to allow further work to be carried out.
For further information about the Preston to Blackpool engineering work, please visit: networkrail.co.uk/blackpool