Train now departs hourly to Preston
HOURLY rail services between Ormskirk and Preston will be available for the first time from May.
The weekday service will come into place from May 20, when Northern introduces its new timetable.
The rail provider says that enhanced services will form part of its timetable change, which is also designed to pave the way for future improvements and getting the network ready for the arrival of its fully refurbished trains.
Other areas in Lancashire will also benefit from the changes, particularly Blackpool, which will benefit from a reintroduced hourly electric service to Liverpool and a twice-an-hour service to Manchester Picadilly.
But the rail provider has faced heavy criticism over its plan to reduce services between Southport and Manchester, in particular dropping the number of trains running between the seaside town and Piccadilly.
Despite the promise of future improvement, Northern has been forced to delay some improvements due to delays in infrastructure work between Manchester and Preston.
Sharon Keith, Northern’s regional director, said: “Whilst we have been able to offer some notable improvements in our May timetable for customers travelling to and from Blackpool, it’s disappointing that we have had to alter the through services to York.
“Our proposed timetable for May 18 was dependent on the successful delivery by Network Rail of the Manchester to Preston Electrification Project, which has been significantly delayed.
“This means some of our proposed routes have been rescheduled and will now be arriving later than planned.” She added: “The delay to some of our service improvements will not, however, delay our overall modernisation plans.
“By 2020 we will provide 2,000 extra services across the Northern network each week, will have introduced 98 brand new trains, will have fully refurbished our fleet and removed all Pacers from the line.’’
Ms Keith added: ‘We are absolutely committed to transforming the journey experience for our customers.”