A LONG disused rail platform has been brought back into use as part of the £5.5million refurbishment work to create a new modern Blackburn railway station.

Platform four is being used by Manchester, Bolton, Blackpool and Preston passengers because platform one has been closed while a new phase of work begins.

Work on demolishing the second half of the Victorian shed roof at the station begins soon, and platform one has closed to passengers.

The rear wall of the station will also be demolished and platform level at the station will be visible to people on the Boulevard.

The roof of the station will eventually be replaced by a glass dome structure to keep passengers sheltered from the elements, and new waiting areas.

Old fashioned platform buildings which have remained unused for many years are also biting the dust as demolition work kicks into top gear.

The two ornate station clocks on platforms one and two will be included in the new look station, although they will be temporarily removed once demolition work begins in earnest on platforms one and two.

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