Network Rail is urging passengers in the Calder Valley and on the East Lancashire line to check before travelling as nine days of changes to trains will take place later this month.

Between Saturday, 15 February and Sunday, 23 February, Network Rail will be upgrading two railway bridges over the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in a £3.95million investment which will help trains to run more reliably in the future.

To allow the work to take place, the East Lancashire line between Colne and Blackburn will be closed.

The work will mean changes to trains between Blackpool and Halifax, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden, Burnley Manchester Road, Burnley Barracks, Burnley Central, Nelson, Colne and Bradford.

Passengers may need to change trains, and some bus replacement services will be in place.

Passengers are advised that bus replacement services will be in place on the below dates:

• 15-23 February between Blackburn and Colne on the East Lancashire line
• 15-16 and 22-23 February between Blackburn, Accrington, Burnley Manchester Road and Hebden Bridge.
• 17-21 February between Blackburn and Accrington.

What did the officials say?

Matt Rice, Route Director for Network Rail’s North and East Route, said:

“This vital work will help to keep train services running reliably for years to come.

“The work does mean changes to services later this month, so I would urge passengers using this line to check before travelling as there will be significant changes to services, including bus replacement services.

“We are working hard to keep disruption to a minimum whilst this project takes place, however I do understand that this will have an impact on passengers. I am sorry for that and I would like to thank them for their patience during this time.”

Chris Jackson, Regional Director at Northern said:

“The vital work being carried out by Network Rail will provide our customers with a more reliable railway for many years.

“We will continue to work closely with colleagues across the rail industry to minimise the impact on our customers and I’d like to thank our customers in advance for their patience and understanding while the work is completed.”

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