PASSENGERS are being prevented from using the new ticket office at Blackburn's refurbished railway station by another red tape delay.

The office on the platform was finished in late November but Railtrack are still waiting for the Strategic Rail Authority to approve its use.

And this is affecting the monitors installed at the station to inform passengers of arrival times, which will will be left switched off until the ticket office is opened.

One piece of good news for passengers today was the opening of the lift after a six week wait while staff were trained on evacuation procedures.

Once SRA officers inspect the ticket office and a issue a "minor closure certificate", the station will be finished.

Railtrack said it had given the SRA several dates to complete the formality, but an officer was still to come to Blackburn and complete the inspection.

This setback is another frustrating delay in the £5million redevelopment, which was expected to take two years and be completed last August.

Once completed. the station will be handed over from Railtrack to train operator First North Western.

The opening of the sheltered waiting area was delayed because of a row between the two companies over the computerised arrivals screens.

Then there was the wait for the staff to be trained in health and safety for the lift.

But bosses promise that once completed, the renovations will be a massive improvement on the old dilapidated Victorian station of two years ago.

New features include Blackburn's own dome in the form of a curved glass roof which replaced the old shed cover.

The subway connecting the front of the station to the platforms has been tiled, giving a bright look to the former full brick.

Platform number four has artwork depicting famous names from Blackburn's history.

Keith Lumley, media relations manager at Railtrack North West, said he was unable to put a time limit on when the inspection would be made to complete the renovations.

"The move cannot be made until they come and have a look and give the certificate," he said.

Paul Bunting, commercial director of First North Western, said: "We are in negotiations for a new tenant to take over a large area where the old ticket office is, which should improve the area.

"We also plan to put a large amount of investment into improving the look and appearance of that downstairs area, which will be a benefit for users."

Gavin Bostock, press officer for the Strategic Rail Authority, said: "This requires our permission to close the existing ticket office and we only received an application for closure in December, so we have not had time to process it yet.

"We hope to have the matter resolved in the next couple of weeks."