RAIL bosses today said they had no plans to improve facilities at Blackburn's £6million station, despite claims that some passengers were now worse off than before.

Network Rail, the company which owns Blackburn Railway Station, has rejected calls to cover up Platform 4 after operator First North Western began using it on a daily basis to help keep its trains running to time.

Council bosses, MP Jack Straw and rail user groups have all appealed for action on the platform - which was earmarked as an emergency stop and was only to be used if the covered platforms 1, 2 or 3 were out of action.

But First North Western said using the platform meant trains could remain on time by avoiding certain points on the approach to the station.

Hundreds of Preston and Manchester-bound commuters now have to brave the elements on the platform, which has only two small bus-stop type shelters to protect them from the weather. Passengers also have to walk onto Platform 2 to use the booking office before returning via the underpass.

Network Rail today confirmed it would be taking action to retile parts of the underpass after the wall covering began falling off - less than 18 months after the station revamp was completed.

But a spokesman said: "We have no plans for any more development work at Blackburn Railway Station.

"Platform 4 was not originally intended to be used on a regular basis but by using it First North Western believe they can keep their trains running to time more often.

"We understand what people are saying but we won't be carrying out any more improvements in the near future, other than to retile the underpass."

First North Western has blamed damp for causing the tiles to fall off, a problem David Butterworth from the Rail Passengers Committee said was raised by his organisation before work began.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has begun and investigation into whether the planning conditions it attached to the approval for the £6million station could be used to force improvements on platform 4.

Executive member for regeneration, Coun Andy Kay, described the situation as "unsatisfactory."

The RPC's Mr Butterworth said: "We will keep going to hopefully get some action.

"The problem with Blackburn Railway Station is that the development has come about as a result of a series of decisions, rather than just one, so things are far from perfect.

"Having an uncovered platform, as well as a booking office in a location which means people have to walk on to one platform then on to another one to catch their train, could all have been avoided."