Residents are being invited to find out more information about a railway upgrade scheme between Preston and Blackpool North.

The works are part of Network Rail's £1 billion Great North Rail Project, which involves carrying out work to upgrade and electrify the route between Preston and Blackpool.

Some construction will take place at night when trains aren't running, such as piling work to install foundations and the steel masts which will carry electric wires to power new trains.

A series of drop-in sessions are being held for local residents to come speak to Network Rail staff who will answer questions and provide more detail on the work being carried out.


Noel Connolly, head of programme management for Network Rail, said: "This work forms part of our Railway Upgrade Plan and will deliver better, greener and more efficient services for passengers in the north.

"I appreciate that the work could be disruptive, so I'd like to thank local residents for their patience while we carry this out. We will take all possible measures to keep disruption to an absolute minimum."

Details of the exhibitions are as follows;

• Kirkham Community Centre, Mill Street, Kirkham, PR4 2AN from 4pm – 7pm on Wednesday, 26 July.

• Poulton Civic Centre, Breck Road, Poulton-le-Fylde, FY6 7PU from 4pm – 7pm on Monday, 31 July

• The Lund Vicarage Church Hall, Clifton, PR4 0ZE from 4pm – 7pm on Monday, 21 August

• Ashton Methodist Church, Wellington Road, Preston, PR2 1BU from 4pm – 7pm on Tuesday, 22 August

• Blackpool North station, Talbot Road, FY1 3AZ from 2pm – 6pm on Tuesday, 29 August.

(LM/MH)