PASSENGER numbers using Blackburn and Darwen railway stations have risen sharply, councillors have been told.

Borough transport boss Phil Riley has updated them on the figures following major investment in the Clitheroe to Manchester line, a new rolling stock depot in King Street and train crew offices in the Cathedral Quarter office block.

In a report to colleagues, he said: “Over the last decade the council has continued to invest in the borough’s rail infrastructure.

“Investment with the government’s ‘Growth Deal’ has enabled the operation of all-day half-hourly rail services to Manchester from December 2017, as specified within the newly-let Northern Rail franchise through Rail North.

“The borough has seen strong recent growth in terms of rail patronage. Blackburn, as a major hub for travel in East Lancashire, was used by over 1.27 million passengers in 2016/17 (up 10 per cent from 2015/16) and Darwen by over 300,000 passengers (up 37 per cent from 2015/16) although the figure in 2015/16 was affected by engineering works on the line.

“The council continues to push for future improvements, including better services to Preston, West Yorkshire and Ribble Valley through Transport for the North and Network Rail investment strategies and programmes.”