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Extra train carriages for East Lancashire
5:31pm Tuesday 9th March 2010
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- By Tom Moseley » Local government reporter
EXTRA carriages are to be added to trains between East Lancashire and Manchester in a major boost for rail commuters.
Currently many of the trains on the Clitheroe to Manchester line, which runs through Blackburn, are only one or two carriages long.
But now the government has announced an increased allocation of up to four coaches at busy times. More coaches will also be added to services from Todmorden.
Council bosses, who are campaigning to improve East Lancashire’s rail links, said the announcement was “great news”.
Under the banner of “Pennine Lancashire”, town halls are working towards the long-term goal of securing funding to improve the track to allow for faster, more frequent services.
Blackburn with Darwen council chief executive Graham Burgess said: “An improved rail link between Clitheroe and Manchester is one of the council’s priorities and we are pleased to see that our campaign has been effective.
“The possibility of additional carriages on the Clitheroe to Manchester rail line by July is great news and will help ease overcrowding.”
Bosses hope better rail links will create “commuter belts” across East Lancashire running into Manchester and Leeds.
The extra coaches have been made available by changes to the Greater Manchester network.
A section of track known as the “Oldham loop” has been closed to be replaced by a tram service.
The Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority, which is in charge of the region’s rail policy, welcomed the news.
Chairman Keith Whitmore said: “This is welcome news for commuters, and a promising first step towards easing the overcrowding on peak time trains.”
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Your Say YourLancashire
GrindletonBob, Blackburn says...
5:53pm Tue 9 Mar 10
These additional carriages trains are close to 25 years old and were introduced by British Rail in the 80's. The privateers are really excelling themselves with this latest news. What about new carriages AND line upgrades? I guess Northern has its shareholders to pay in the Netherlands though and Network Rail only wants to spend its money south of Manchester.
Network Rail now need to sort out the single track and ridiculously slow line speeds. Like the stretches of line where you could walk faster than the train is permitted to go. Otherwise the trains will be longer, but just as slow. 15mph on some stretches as the track is in such bad state!
CliveE, Burnley says...
6:05pm Tue 9 Mar 10
Noiticer, Blackburn says...
6:06pm Tue 9 Mar 10
Nationally there is a shortage of spare trains and the Department of Transport is dragging its feet on providing funds to build more. In the north we usually get everbody's clapped out cast-offs because nobody is fighting our corner. We don't have devolved regional government. Go to Scotland and you see new and refurbished trains in excellent condition - Wales too.
The problem on the Clitheroe/Manchester Line is that the stations between Blackburn and Clitheroe have short platforms and can only accommodate two carriage trains so platforms will have to be lengthened.
burner, blackburn says...
7:08pm Tue 9 Mar 10
Akki, Accy says...
7:21pm Tue 9 Mar 10
blylad, burnley says...
8:36pm Tue 9 Mar 10
burner, blackburn says...
8:39pm Tue 9 Mar 10
slackerbtch, Blackburn says...
12:03am Wed 10 Mar 10
As for your comments, GrindletonBob, yeah sure the trains are just over 20 years old... And? The only difference is that Northern have not refurbished/maintain
ed their units to the standard that other TOC's have. I was on a hired-in SouthWest Trains unit the other week... exactly the same age and type of unit that run between Blackpool and York... but the standard of the interior was much better... refurbished very well and very well lit. Given a quality refurbishment, these units will last another twenty years.
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burner, blackburn says...
5:50pm Tue 9 Mar 10