Blackrod residents feel railroaded Residents from Blackrod and Horwich are becoming increasingly frustrated and worried about the impending road closures set to be put in place within the next few weeks, and promising to cause traffic chaos for months. The Network Rail Bridge works to improve the route and electrify the line between Manchester and Preston will start with the closure of Station Road in Blackrod from 2nd February until 15th May and Grimeford Lane will be closed from 2nd March until 12th June 2015. Local residents had been led to believe that the bridges would be closed separately to help ease the expected congestion so when Ward Councillors Stephen Pickup, Ann Cunliffe and Alan Bury were informed of the decision to close the two bridges simultaneously they immediately made representation to Network Rail highlighting their concerns. At a recent Q & A meeting held by Network Rail in Blackrod, residents were able to find out more about the work which will take place but many visitors were concerned and angry that the village would be cut off. Cllr Ann Cunliffe, said “There were many angry residents present who had very genuine concerns. Many commented that the event just focused on Station Road Bridge, ignoring the four local bridges and the only two direct roads connecting Horwich and Blackrod would all be closed at the same time. Many attending believed that this Network Rail event was a consultation and were angry when they realised that they would not be consulted. Throughout the next months until these Network Rail works are completed residents and businesses will be greatly affected. Many parents will be unable to get their children to school or themselves to work on time. Concerns were highlighted regarding how this will affect emergency services and local public transport. Previous short direct journeys will now become long and lengthy ones and petrol bills will soar. Residents are not opposed to Network Rail improvements, but rightfully oppose the closing of both direct routes between Horwich and Blackrod at the same time. They felt that their concerns were ignored at the event.” At a cost of £400 million the NW Electrification programme promises to improve the rail infrastructure and service, introducing Electric trains which are more reliable, greener, quieter and are able to accelerate quicker, reducing journey times. Stephen Cooper from Network Rail told us, “In terms of the works at Blackrod, the bridge has insufficient clearance to support the overhead wires which will be erected in order for electric trains to operate and this means we need to rebuild the bridge resulting in a road closure. We have already carried our preparatory work last year to minimise the length of the closure and to extend the bridge abutments because we are putting back a bridge which is over 1 metre wider for the benefit of highway users. Additionally, once complete the bridge will have a lifespan in excess of over 100 years. We appreciate that there is never a good time to close roads and will complete the work as quickly as possible. Work is also required at Grimeford Lane for the same reasons and there is an overlap because each bridge rebuild requires 2 weekend closures of the railway to carry out the core works such as demolition and new bridge deck parapets which typically are at the mid-point of the work. Closures of the railway are at a premium and planned in blocks. Subsequently these railway closure dates during the middle of the bridge work have a strong bearing on when each road closure starts and finishes resulting in some overlap.” Transport for Greater Manchester will work to ensure the Bus Services continue during the closure with public and school bus routes being amended to incorporate the closure of Station Road offering an alternative service for passengers. Journey times will be increased as services are diverted around the road closure and some services will have to terminate or start short of their normal destination as a result of the bridge works on Station Road. Cllr Stephen Pickup commented, “I have lobbied hard to maintain a bus service for Horwich and Blackrod residents throughout the road closures. People are often telling me how they feel isolated and to lose their bus service for such a long period of time would make life even more difficult for many residents in particular the young and elderly. I recognise the inconvenience that will be caused over the next few months and following representations made to TfGM and the local bus operators, I am pleased that most residents will have access to public transport during the bridge works.” The closure of Station Road and Grimeford Lane will no doubt cause havoc to both Blackrod and Horwich. LivingINBL will do its level best to keep you updated on the progress of the bridge works… See our e-edition for timetables and more information.