R A I LT R AC K - The Railways Archive

Route characteristics
DESCRIPTION The Lancashire network covers the routes North of Manchester,
radiating out from Preston. Services on these lines are used by a mixture of
commuter and leisure traffic with frequencies ranging from half
hourly between Blackburn and Preston to less than hourly between Preston
and Ormskirk.
These lines are predominantly two track, although the branches are mainly
single track. Many of the single-track branch lines operate near to capacity with
current traffic volumes.
Route vision
These lines serve local communities throughout Lancashire, and also have a key
strategic role in linking the WCML and the Fylde Coast with West Yorkshire and
beyond. We want to exploit these strengths, to develop both passenger and
freight on the network.
The basis of our plans is to continue to improve the quality and
performance of the network, to generate new custom for the railways and to
win it from other modes of transport. We will also identify opportunities to offer
faster journey times to the Franchising Director and customers, particularly on
the key artery from Hebden Bridge–Preston.
Route development and customer requirements
In the coming year, Greater Manchester PTE intends to commission a study to
help formulate its future rail investment strategy. This will incorporate a range of
issues and will produce a series of options to be developed with industry
partners to provide for the transport needs of the area into the 21st century.
We will provide information and input to the study, and will work with the PTE
to help ensure the study’s success.
The rebuilding of Blackburn Station, which will provide a modern
centrepiece for this route has recently begun. Planning permission has been
In general, the linespeed is 70 or 75mph, although many sections have a lower
linespeed, for example the section between Gannow and Hall Royd Junctions.
The mix of fast and slow traffic may restrict further growth on parts of the
main Preston–Hebden Bridge route.
Some of these lines carry freight traffic, with the most significant flows in
terms of tonnage and traffic levels being concentrated between the West Coast
Main Line and Hebden Bridge.
To accommodate the projected increase in passenger numbers, longer trains may
be necessary on some of these routes, which may involve platform lengthening
works at certain locations.
Several privately funded freight sites are currently under investigation, and
we will continue to work with our freight customers to encourage the opening
of further new terminals. The Heysham, Clitheroe and Blackburn areas are
believed to offer particular opportunities for winning freight traffic from the road
network.
received for a station, which will provide modern facilities including improved
passenger access and platform capacity while retaining the original heritage
frontage.
The stations and services on this route between Blackburn and Clitheroe
are actively promoted by the Ribble Valley Rail Group, an excellent example of
community involvement in local rail services.
We will also look at the feasibility of reducing journey times between
Leeds–Blackpool.
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