New Plan to Shape Future of Blackburn Railway Station

    Blackburn with Darwen Council has commissioned a new long-term plan exploring how Blackburn Railway Station and its surrounding area could be improved as part of wider regeneration plans for the town centre.

    A new long-term plan has been commissioned to help shape the future of Blackburn Railway Station and its surrounding area.

    Blackburn with Darwen Council has appointed engineering, design and planning consultancy ARUP to carry out a comprehensive study looking at how the station could better serve residents, businesses and visitors.

    The work will examine ways of making the station a more attractive and welcoming gateway to Blackburn while supporting wider regeneration and investment across the town centre.

    It will build on major projects planned or already underway, including the proposed Star Square development on the former Thwaites Brewery site, the neighbouring Tech Innovation Quarter and investment in the Cultural Quarter, including the multi-million-pound transformation of King George's Hall.

    ARUP will update the Blackburn Railway Station Master Plan and develop a Strategic Outline Business Case, an early-stage assessment designed to identify opportunities and help build the case for future investment.

    Potential improvements will include the station buildings and concourse as well as surrounding public spaces.

    The study will also explore stronger connections between the railway station and other forms of public transport, alongside improvements for walking and cycling.

    It follows the original Blackburn Railway Station Master Plan produced in 2017.

    Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Transport Lead for the Lancashire Combined County Authority, said: "Blackburn Railway Station should be a gateway we can all be proud of."

    He said the work was about being ambitious for the borough and ensuring the station supports Blackburn's continued regeneration and growth.

    The project will be developed in partnership with organisations including Network Rail, Northern, the Lancashire Combined County Authority and Community Rail Lancashire.

    Separately, work is continuing to assess the feasibility of creating an additional railway station in Blackburn with Darwen, with Ewood and Lower Darwen identified as priority locations following public consultation.

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