From Saturday 8 until Thursday 27 November, if you are travelling between Clitheroe and Blackburn you will need to allow extra time for your journey.

Network Rail is removing a number of temporary speed restrictions on the line, which have been affecting the reliability of trains. As part of the work, jointed railway track will be replaced with continuous rails, giving a smoother, quieter ride.

While the work is taking place, rail replacement buses will run between:

• Blackburn and Clitheroe calling at Ramsgreave & Wilpshire, Langho and Whalley – this service will run every day
• Blackburn and Clitheroe non-stop – this service will not run on Sundays

Trains between Blackburn and Manchester Victoria will run as normal.

Stuart Rands, Acting Area Director, Northern Rail said: “Passengers will experience more reliable and much smoother journeys once this work is complete. We’ve worked closely with Network Rail to ensure that while it is happening we have alternative transport in place to help our passengers continue their journeys.”

Peter Strachan, Network Rail’s route director, added “This is part of an on-going programme of work we have throughout Lancashire and Cumbria, all of which is designed to improve train performance to give passengers a service they can rely on.”

Richard Watts, Partnership Secretary, Clitheroe Line Community Rail Partnership said: “The Partnership welcomes the work being undertaken by Network Rail on the line and looks forward to the improvements this will bring. The Partnership has worked hard to ensure the smooth introduction of the rail replacement bus services between Clitheroe and Blackburn and will monitor the situation throughout the period.”