THE comparisons made between Blackburn's revamped railway station and the ill-starred Millennium Dome are proving apt.

These, of course, began with the admittedly slender similarities of their unusual and imaginative designs. But since then, it is what has gone on under their curved canopies that has strengthened the link - it being in the nature of farce.

Or in the Blackburn's station's case, more suited to the film-script of the Will Hay classic railway comedy, 'Oh, Mr Porter.'

For as visually attractive as has been the blending of the new domed glass canopy over the station's platforms with its splendid Victorian frontage, overall, the job remains an unfinished mess.

And if lateness or non-appearance is characteristic of today's train services, then the £5million renovation of Blackburn Station has become fully infected with the malady.

Consider the symptoms. It is months behind schedule. When work started last September, it was supposed to last six months. But is still not finished and the completion date has now been put back to November. And there is a rash of other disorders.

The new lift does not work. The new waiting room and ticket office are shut. There are no toilets and no platform caf.

On top of the recent row about who was left off the new mural of Blackburn's 'favourite folk', the platform displaying it is not even under cover. All it has is a couple of bus shelters for passengers to wait in.

Puddles form in the underpass as rain leaks from the exposed lines above and the problem might never be fixed as it would entail completely lifting and re-laying the track.

And, most amazingly of all, the workmen carrying out these improvements 'disappeared a long time ago' and apparently no-one knows when they are coming back!

Snags on any giant project can be expected. But since this one is a key aspect of Blackburn's town-centre regeneration and the station is a gateway to the town where first impressions are vital, it is hardly tolerable for the project to consist of so much delay. The town and rail-users deserve better.

A rocket is called for.