Blackpool-Preston railway set to close until January

Both railway links between Blackpool and Preston are to be closed from 11 November until 28 January while engineering and electrification works are completed.

The link between Blackpool South and Preston is scheduled to reopen on 29 January, but the main route between the Lancashire city and the larger Blackpool North will remain closed until 25 March.

The project is part of Network Rail’s £1bn Great North Rail project, part of the body’s national railway upgrade plan.

In the early part of this year, works to improve drainage and to realign tracks were carried out over ten weekend closures, but the bulk of the work needed in the area requires full closure. The project includes the full electrification of the 17m route, the replacement of 84 signals and the removal of the signalling control to the Manchester operating centre.

There will also be a significant works programme at Blackpool North station, with the number of platforms reduced from eight to six. At Kirkham & Wesham, a third platform will be added.

Until 25 January, bus services will run between Blackpool North and Preston every 15 minutes, some of them direct. There will be hourly bus services between Blackpool South and Preston.