THE Trans-Pennine rail route that runs through East Lancashire has shown improvements in the past year, despite problems with industrial action, according to a passengers watchdog.

The Rail Passengers Committee said in its annual report the service, which runs from Blackpool to Scarborough, via Blackburn, Accrington and Burnley, has a "generally improving performance".

But the report adds that any improvement had been marred by industrial action.

The statutory body said complaints from commuters in the region had also fallen this year.

A spokesman added: "Train punctuality and reliability has generally shown a welcome improvement over the previous year.

"However, the year was marred by industrial action by conductors about pay. This, which took the form of a series of 24-hour strikes, averaging about twice a month, dragged on through the summer of 2002 and into 2003.

"Passengers were, of course, very frustrated and seriously inconvenienced, although Arriva Trains Northern did manage to run an increasing number of trains on strike days as the dispute continued."

Punctuality rates for the service, which means trains arriving within ten minutes of their scheduled time, had improved from 80 per cent of trains to 85 per cent. However, the figures still fell short of the charter standard of 91 per cent.

Arriva had also improved the reliability of its service which was up to 98.7 per cent, the government benchmark being 99 per cent.

Rail users groups in the Ribble Valley, Pendle and Blackburn took part in the consultation process which helped the passenger committee form its report.

The committee added that passengers in East Lancashire and across the North West had had a mixed year with some encouraging improvements coupled with disappointing attempts to upgrade some parts of the rail network.