THE bungled redevelopment of Blackburn's train station must be heeded to prevent a similar fiasco in Burnley, the official rail watchdog has warned.

The Rail Passengers' Committee (RPC) commented after £500,000 plans to transform Burnley's Central Station into a space-age showpiece were unveiled two weeks ago.

A similar project in Blackburn's cost £6m -- £500,000 more than first anticipated -- after a series of delays put the project 15 months behind schedule before its completion last March.

The scheme was labelled a 'farce' by rail user groups who blamed the problems on the number of different organisations involved with the project.

Railtrack carried out the building project but then handed over the station to First North Western (FNW), while liaising with the government's Strategic Railway Authority (SRA). Contracts were also awarded to different construction companies for different parts of the scheme.

The Burnley project will involve the same groups in addition to Lancashire County Council and the East Lancashire Partnership, who have donated cash.

The old building at Burnley Central Station will be demolished and replaced with a futuristic station with ticket office, waiting area, disabled access and CCTV.

David Butterworth, of the RPC, said: "I think the problems in Blackburn are a reflection on the present state of the railway industry in that there were many different parties involved in the station's construction.

"I hope when they get together to make a start on the Burnley project it will go far more smoothly. I know that lessons have been learned as a result of the Blackburn fiasco and I hope Burnley will not be affected in the same way."

Mr Butterworth's comments came after the In the RPC's annual report was released in which FNW and Arriva Trains Northern are rapped for failing to meet punctuality and reliability targets.

Arriva was also criticised for the continuing strikes which have affected its services for two days every month this year. Conductors are set to strike again tomorrow forcing the cancellation of the TransPennine Express through Preston, Blackburn, Accrington and Burnley.