AN MP today backed calls for improvements to Blackburn Railway Station's Platform 4 - warning the failure to act could undermine the whole redevelopment.

Blackburn MP Jack Straw spoke out after the Lancashire Evening Telegraph revealed last week that train companies have decided to carry on using an 'emergency' platform set up while the rest of the railway station was refurbished - even though it's the only one not under cover.

Train operator First North Western says it is better to use Platform Four than undercover one and two because it is on the main track running through, not a siding, and means more trains run on time.

But council bosses are now planning to put pressure on Network Rail, which owns the station, and First North Western, which leases it, to get better facilities on Platform Four if it is going to be used long-term.

Passenger groups have complained about the use of the platform - pointing out that at least it was covered in the old railway station, parts of which were demolished to make way for the new dome, which covers Platforms One and Two.

They also argue it is daft to make passengers walk up to Platform One to buy a train ticket, then walk back down to the underpass - where tiles are already falling off the walls because of damp - to get to Platform Four.

Mr Straw said: "I fully support what the council are doing on these issues. If Platform Four is to be used regularly, passengers need to have proper shelter.

"They shouldn't just be expected to stand in rain.

"I am also concerned about the tiling - it undermines the ambiences of the station.

"Let's be straight about this - the redevelopment has been very good. It has certainly lifted that part of the town.

"We can't allow items like this to undermine the success. I will be talking to the council and I then shall be talking to First North Western and Network Rail to see what can be done.

"We need to act and try and make sure the redeveloped station is an even better success."

Both FNW and Network Rail say they are acting on the underpass but have no plans to change arrangements at Platform Four.