Network Rail back-tracks on date for electrification

Late last year, the firm Rail insisted the work would be done by summer 2018, but then told The Gazette last week that date had been put back to December.

But a spokesman now says that date was given in error, and said passengers are still going to benefit from faster, cleaner, greener, and longer trains from the date it gave in November.

He said: “We are continuing to engage with local stakeholders to develop the scheme to upgrade the railway between Preston and Blackpool North.

“We will be speaking with passengers and residents in the summer in more detail about our work.”

The work was originally due to finish this year, before being put back.