Better rail journeys arriving in May 2018 The Great North Rail Project between Preston and Blackpool 1 December 2017

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1 Better rail journeys arriving in May 2018 The Great North Rail Project between Preston and Blackpool 1 December 2017 Transforming the railway a week in pictures Three weeks into our extended Preston to Blackpool closure - our engineers are making excellent progress to upgrade the railway. On track in Kirkham Dramatic photographs capture big changes to the track layout through Kirkham. Photo: A view towards Kirkham station.

2 The tracks are being replaced and realigned to make journeys better. Photo: Kirkham junction where the railway splits to Blackpool North and South stations. Photo: A close up of the new track layout. At Kirkham & Wesham station new tracks and a new platform will help to better manage train services. The improvements will help to reduce delays and give passengers a railway they can rely on.

3 Photo: New tracks installed through platforms 2 & 3. Blackpool North Work continues to progress at pace in Blackpool with our engineers working around the clock to rebuild platforms and install a new track layout. Photo: A wet start to the week in Blackpool. A new drainage system is being installed to support the new layout.

4 Photo: New drainage installed and a sandy base layer formed for the new track layout. Photo: Blackpool North s platforms are being rebuilt and new track laid. When complete, Blackpool North will have six electrified platforms. Two of the platforms are being extended so that longer trains can run to Blackpool in the future.

5 Photo: A truck-mounted concrete pump is used to pour concrete at Blackpool North. Prepping Poulton Following work to replace and realign tracks and drainage through the station, work will be carried out to get the platforms and canopies ready for more reliable electric train services. Photo: New tracks and drainage through Poulton-le-Fylde station.

6 Photo: During the closure work will take place to adjust platforms & canopies. Upgrading Blackpool s train care depot As part of our plans to deliver a greener, quieter and more reliable railway between Preston and Blackpool, we re remodelling and upgrading Northern s train care depot in Blackpool. Photo: Engineers install a portal at Blackpool light maintenance depot with the aid of a mobile elevating work platform. Work to change the track layout has taken place and our engineers are now in the process of electrifying the facility.

7 Photo: Northern s Blackpool light maintenance Depot is transforming. The improvements will make it possible for Northern to house and maintain their fleet of electric trains in Blackpool. Steelwork springs up over Preston viaduct This week our electrification engineers have been installing the steelwork across Tulketh Viaduct in Preston. The structure was originally opened in 1840, widened in 1885 and as part of the Great North Rail Project will be electrified in Photo: Steelwork installed over Tulketh Viaduct in Preston. From May 2018, greener, quieter and more reliable trains will run between Preston and Blackpool.

8 Photo: Twin track cantilevers arch over the 1840s viaduct. Keeping passengers on the move During the closure, frequent replacement bus services continue to operate between Preston and Blackpool with a mixture of direct and stopping services to keep people moving. Photo: Bus replacement services outside Blackpool North station. Staff remain on hand at many stations on the route to help passengers using the bus replacement services. Clear signage is in place at all stations on the route to show

9 passengers where the bus pick up and drop off points are located, as well as a bus timetable. We re urging passengers to allow extra time for their journeys particularly during the peak. Live journey information can be found on the National Rail mobile app and at nationalrail.co.uk Keeping our neighbours informed We ve invited passengers and railway neighbours to find out more about the railway revolution between Blackpool and Preston. Details of upcoming events: Tuesday 5 December Breck Road, Poulton-le-Fylde, FY6 7PU Thursday 7 December Blackpool North station, Talbot Road, Blackpool, FY1 2AB Monday 11 December St Walburges Church Hall, Weston Street, Preston PR2 2QE Wednesday 20 December Mill Street, Kirkham, PR4 2AN For a full list of drop-in events between Preston and Blackpool, please visit Delivering a project on this scale requires the use of several access points along the railway. These access points allow our engineers, materials and the tools, equipment & machinery to get to where they need to go. We are mindful that many of these access points are in close proximity to residential properties and we are committed to keeping these neighbours informed about the project.

10 Photo: Information being delivered to residents near one of our access points in Blackpool. We re continuing to issue regular updates to all of our neighbours living along the railway. Our postal communications detail the key activities being undertaken in the area and make residents aware of when we ll next be holding a drop-in session near to them. Stay in touch Follow us on for the latest Great North Rail Project news.