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Preston-Blackpool rail line to be electrified
A key rail link between Preston and Blackpool is to be electrified.
The Government says it will result in faster journey times, quieter trains, fewer delays, increased capacity and reduced CO2 emissions.
And rail campaigners today welcomed the news as a "win, win" proposition - saying journey times between Manchester and Blackpool could be slashed by up to 10 minutes.
The proposals also include an upgrade of tracks between Manchester and Euxton Junction as well as Huyton and Wigan.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "he North lost out in the last recession and I am determined not to repeat the mistakes of the 1980s and 1990s.
"That is why we are building the vital transport infrastructure that links our communities, supports businesses right here in Lancashire and keeps our country on the move."
It comes after Chancellor Alistair Darling announced in last week's pre-Budget report that lines between Liverpool and Preston and Preston to Manchester will be electrified.
Electric trains are also cheaper to operate and often cheaper to buy than diesel, require less maintenance, have lower energy costs and cause less damage to the track.
to do an extra run a day. I think it's a win, win, win proposition."
The plans are in addition to the 1.1bn programme to electrify the Liverpool to Manchester line by 2013.
It is expected the others would then follow, starting with the Huyton to Wigan line, followed by Manchester and Euxton Junction and then Blackpool North to Preston.
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Weather for Preston
Tuesday 07 February 2012
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