79-627: The Ribble Valley line is a railway line that runs from Manchester Victoria through Blackburn , in Lancashire , to Hellifield in North Yorkshire . Regular passenger services normally run as far as Clitheroe , but occasional passenger services run the whole line through north Lancashire to Hellifield, where it joins the Settle–Carlisle line . The line passes over the distinctive 48-span Whalley Viaduct . The line north of Blackburn
158-560: A Sunday only service was later reintroduced between Clitheroe and Hellifield. The towns and villages on the route are the following: Passenger services from Clitheroe to Rochdale via Blackburn and Manchester Victoria are operated by Northern Trains . On summer Sundays, Northern Trains also operates the DalesRail service, which starts at Blackpool and continues beyond Clitheroe to the Settle–Carlisle line, where it calls at all
237-517: A joint station serving the centre of Manchester. In 1839, Samuel Brooks , vice-chairman of the M&;LR, bought land at Hunt's Bank close to the cathedral and presented it to the company for the new station. The site was on the north bank of the River Irk , between the workhouse to the north which had opened in 1793 and Walker's Croft Cemetery to the south. After several years of negotiations between
316-563: A revival in service provision, with the reopening to regular passenger traffic of the Copy Pit line in 1984 (initially on a twice-daily trial basis with services funded by a local building society) and the Ribble Valley line to Clitheroe a decade later in 1994. The latter would be served as an extension of the existing route from Manchester via Bolton, whilst the former brought regular services to & from Blackpool, Leeds and York to
395-754: A scheme called "Pennine Lancashire" proposed new housing, tourist attractions and improved transport links, supported by the Labour Government and Prime Minister of that time. The scheme included enhancements to the Ribble Valley line including: The scheme was welcomed by the Ribble Valley Rail group, who have campaigned to re-open the line and were very excited at the proposals. Network Rail has carried out £14 million of improvements to track & signalling either side of Darwen station in July and August 2015. A six-week engineering blockade saw
474-421: A side platform for Bury bound trams lettered A, which was later taken out of use due to leaks in the station roof. The Metrolink platforms at Victoria closed on 21 February 2014 and were rebuilt in a different configuration to allow for increased services. The rebuilt stop reopened on 18 February 2015. The new configuration has two island platforms serving three tracks, with platform faces lettered A, B, C and D;
553-526: Is also being introduced on TPE routes in 2019–20, including Class 68 Nova 3 push-pull sets and Class 802 Nova 1 bi-mode multiple units. Since the May 2018 timetable change, all express services on the North TransPennine route call at the station. These services are run by TransPennine Express . Westbound, two trains an hour run express to Liverpool Lime Street (one calling at Lea Green and
632-508: Is an interchange with the city's Metrolink light rail system. The stop is at the northern edge of the system's Zone 1 and the start of the Bury Line . The tram platforms opened on 6 April 1992 for services to Bury which replaced the long-established heavy rail service. The tram platforms were built on the site of the former railway platforms 5 to 8, the terminus of the Bury line. The line
711-498: Is operated by TransPennine Express. Reinstatement of the south and west curve at Todmorden on the Caldervale Line facilitated a direct service between Victoria and Burnley Manchester Road Station for the first time in almost fifty years. In the 1900s the Bury Line , a busy commuter line which served the suburbs of north Manchester from Victoria, was losing passengers to tramway competition , in response to this, in 1914
790-628: Is served by two train operating companies , Northern and TransPennine Express . It is occasionally used by CrossCountry services during engineering works. The Chat Moss route to Liverpool is operated by TransPennine Express Class 185s DMUs and Northern Class 319 EMUs (peak time & early morning only). The Ribble Valley Line to Blackburn and Clitheroe is operated by Class 156 , Class 150 with Class 153 strengthening services at peak times . Leeds Calder Valley services are usually operated by Class 158 Sprinter DMUs, though Class 195 Civity units are now used on many Chester trains. New stock
869-539: The Beeching Axe in 1964. By 1970, the through links to Skipton and Liverpool had also gone, leaving only the Manchester via Bolton and Colne to Preston lines, along with a few seasonal trains between Leeds and Blackpool North via Hebden Bridge and the Copy Pit route to serve the station. Thus, when the lines & station were resignalled in 1973 (control passed to the new power box at Preston as part of
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#1732794139057948-503: The Bolton, Blackburn, Clitheroe & West Yorkshire Railway had built a line through to Bolton from the town by 1848, but were refused permission to use the ELR station and had to open their own station at Bolton Road, a short distance south of the junction between the two. The Blackburn company subsequently extended their line northwards along the Ribble Valley to Clitheroe in 1851, but it
1027-590: The Italianate style in sandstone ashlar with slate roofs in 1844. They were later enlarged and given a second storey. William Dawes built the station's larger extension for the L&;YR in 1909. It is at right-angles to the north end of the old station giving the enlarged station an L-shaped plan. Facing Victoria Station Approach, its façade is in the Edwardian neo-Baroque style , four storeys high and 31 bays to
1106-638: The Manchester Arena and improved retail and dining facilities. Work to refurbish the station began in April 2013. The old roof was dismantled in autumn 2013. Installation of the £17 million roof began in May 2014 and final roof beam was lifted into position on 13 October 2014. Installation of the ETFE sheeting was completed in spring 2015, and the station upgrade was completed in August 2015, with
1185-545: The Manchester station group , Manchester Victoria is Manchester's second busiest railway station after Piccadilly , and is the busiest station managed by Northern . The station hosts local and regional services to destinations in Northern England , such as Blackburn , Rochdale , Bradford , Leeds , Newcastle , Huddersfield , Halifax , Wigan , Southport , Blackpool (Sundays only) and Liverpool using
1264-673: The West Coast Main Line (WCML) has been closed for repairs and has also seen freight traffic use it. There have been periodic calls for the final section north from Clitheroe to be re-opened to passenger traffic to provide a connection with the Leeds to Carlisle services at Hellifield. In 2020, the UK Government announced a £500 million fund to enable groups and campaigners to pay for business cases on reopening proposals. The section of line between Hellifield and Clitheroe
1343-594: The West Lancashire Railway , in addition to those mentioned previously. Long distance through coaches to Scotland and London Euston (via Manchester Victoria, Denton and Stockport ) also operated from here well into British Rail days. The 1923 Grouping saw the station pass into the hands of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway , but it was not until after nationalisation in 1948 that traffic and services began to decline. The Great Harwood line
1422-737: The 1880s, including the station buffet and former booking hall, was retained and refurbished. A piece of public artwork by artist Stephen Charnock was also erected at the edge of the platform, which consists of a stainless steel screen depicting Blackburn's industrial past and its more modern life today. The images include some of Blackburn's most successful figures and famous visitors such as David Lloyd George (Liberal politician), Mahatma Gandhi (campaigner for Indian independence), Kathleen Ferrier (singer), Barbara Castle (Labour politician), Carl Fogarty (superbike racer), Wayne Hemingway (fashion designer) and Jack Walker (businessman). Platform 4, which had previously not been in timetabled use since
1501-601: The 1970s, was reopened for regular services as part of the work. In 2003, a police station was opened in the upper floor of the old booking hall to provide services in the town centre when the town's main police station was replaced by Greenbank police station in Whitebirk . The station is well connected with public transport in Blackburn; the Blackburn Boulevard bus station (recently closed and moved to
1580-494: The Arena which was joined to the station by means of a raft above them. The Arena is accessed via stairs on Hunts Bank and from the station concourse. Following reconstruction, the platforms were renumbered; platforms 1 and 2 are bay platforms facing east (formerly platforms 9 and 10), and the through platforms are 3 to 6 (platform 3 was formerly platform 11). The through platforms are used by mid-distance services. In 2009, Victoria
1659-762: The BD&;BR and the BC&;NWJR agreed to amalgamate, becoming the Bolton, Blackburn, Clitheroe and West Yorkshire Railway ; the necessary act of Parliament, the Blackburn, Darwen and Bolton Railway Amendment Act 1847 ( 10 & 11 Vict. c. clxiv) received royal assent on 9 July 1847. The name was shortened to the Blackburn Railway by a further act of Parliament, the Blackburn Railway Act 1851 ( 14 & 15 Vict. c. lxxxix), of 24 July 1851. In
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#17327941390571738-610: The Blackburn Railway became the joint property of the LYR and ELR (this was not authorised by an act of Parliament until the Blackburn Railway Amalgamation Act 1858 ( 21 & 22 Vict. c. cvi) was passed on 12 July 1858). In 1859, the LYR and ELR themselves amalgamated, the LYR retaining its identity, and so the Blackburn Railway became wholly absorbed by the LYR. From this time, the trains along
1817-560: The Blackburn Railway were proposed: one was to continue the line north from Chatburn to the NWR near Giggleswick (at that time known as Settle); the other would have been from a point to the north of Bolton, between the Croal and Tonge viaducts, to Manchester by way of Radcliffe , Whitefield and Cheetham Hill , and so would have created a line between Bolton and Manchester independent of the LYR. Both of these proposals failed. On 1 January 1858,
1896-468: The L&YR decided to electrify this line using a unique 1,200 volt side-contact third rail system, in an effort to win back passengers. Electrification of this route was completed in 1916. As the scheme was a success, in the early 1920s the L&YR drew up plans to extend electrification to the Oldham Loop Line using the same system. The scheme progressed to an advanced stage, however with
1975-552: The LNWR opened its own station, Manchester Exchange immediately to the west on the opposite side of the River Irwell , and vacated Victoria. Victoria reached its maximum extent of 17 platforms in 1904 when the station was enlarged with extra bay platforms to the south. The present station façade, designed by William Dawes, was built in 1909. The cast-iron train sheds behind the façade were 700 yards (640 m) long. Because
2054-598: The Metrolink stop has four (four platform faces on three tracks). Two railway platforms are bays numbered 1 & 2 for terminating trains arriving from the east and four are through platforms numbered 3–6 at the northern side of the station. The Metrolink platforms are parallel to, and south of, the bay platforms. Only the bay and Metrolink platforms are under the new roof, the through platforms 4, 5 and 6 are mostly covered by Manchester Arena . The original M&LR single-storey offices facing Hunt's Bank Approach were built in
2133-579: The TOC), with only the hourly Liverpool - Newcastle and Manchester Airport - Saltburn calling here. Also since the May 2018 timetable change, services along the Calder Valley line have been significantly sped up. Stations between Rochdale and Manchester are now served by Blackburn services. This means that Calder Valley services now run non-stop between Rochdale and Manchester. As a result, there are now 6 trains an hour to Rochdale. Manchester Victoria
2212-493: The WCML modernisation scheme), three of the station's seven platforms were closed and a fourth (the current platform 4) reduced in length and downgraded to emergency use only. The remaining trains could quite easily be accommodated on platforms 1-3 (the northernmost island of the two). This method of operation would remain until the station underwent its most recent major rebuild in 2000 (see below). The 1980s and 90s would though see
2291-529: The Whalley viaduct. The line was opened between Blackburn and Chatburn on 21 June 1850, and on the same day, a short branch to the Old Banks lime works at Horrocksford was opened. Trains used the BD&BR station at Blackburn (Bolton Road), running through the ELR station in order to reach it. Initially single track, the line between Daisyfield Junction and Chatburn was doubled in 1872–74. In March 1847,
2370-569: The cathedral was for many years used as a car park, until redevelopment of the site began in 2015. The station suffered bomb damage during the Manchester Blitz in World War II . On 23 December 1940, several bombs hit the station destroying the parcels office, and a large part of the roof over platforms 12 to 16. The parcels office was rebuilt, but the damaged parts of the roof were taken down and not replaced. The station came into
2449-431: The cemetery, and another was built on the western side, a second through platform was built at the northern side, and the station's facilities were expanded by the construction of a new east wing of the station building. Two decades later, the L&YR purchased and demolished the workhouse north of the station, and its site was used to build another bay and five through platforms which came into use in 1884. That same year,
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2528-525: The companies, work started in 1842. The M&LR built an extension from Miles Platting to the station which opened on 1 January 1844. On this date, the Oldham Road terminus was closed to passenger services and became a goods station. The new station had a 852 ft (260 m) long single platform which handled M&LR trains to Leeds and elsewhere at its eastern end. The L&MR extended its line from Ordsall to Victoria and its trains operated from
2607-557: The concourse were restored during the 2013-15 renovation, they include the café with its glass dome and mosaic lettering which was originally the first-class dining room, the adjacent bookstall, and the original 1909 wood-panelled booking hall. In the entrance is a large, white glazed tiled map showing the former network of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. Underneath the map is a bronze World War I war memorial with effigies of Saint George and Saint Michael at each end which
2686-423: The current level of one service per hour. Manchester Victoria station Manchester Victoria station in Manchester , England, is a combined mainline railway station and Metrolink tram stop. Situated to the north of the city centre on Hunts Bank, close to Manchester Cathedral , it adjoins Manchester Arena which was constructed on part of the former station site in the 1990s. Opened in 1844 and part of
2765-605: The day. However, the funding for the scheme was eventually rejected in March 2008. The line between Blackburn and Clitheroe was temporarily closed in November 2008 due to a major refurbishment. The £5 million scheme included 11,651 yards (10,654 m) of continuous welded rail , 16,000 new concrete or steel sleepers and 40,000 tonnes (44,000 tons) of ballast . Replacement bus services ran between Clitheroe and Blackburn . The line re-opened on 28 November 2008. In 2009,
2844-419: The existing passing loop there extended by 1-mile (1.6 km)) at each end and signalling improvements made to add capacity on the line and allow for service frequencies between Bolton and Blackburn to be doubled to two trains per hour each way throughout the day from December 2017. The work was completed on schedule and the line reopened on 24 August 2015. The line has been a useful diversionary route for when
2923-811: The extension of the Clitheroe line to Hellifield in 1880 to give the L&Y a through route to Scotland via the Settle-Carlisle Line led to significant increases in traffic that put the station under major strain. A fatal collision there that led to the deaths of 7 people in 1881 prompted the L&Y to make plans for another expansion & remodelling project, which was completed between 1886 & 1888. The new station had two island platforms, each with west-facing bays to give seven working faces in total, plus an impressive two-bay overall roof. Destinations served included Liverpool Exchange via Ormskirk , Blackpool Central , Skipton , and Southport via
3002-530: The former Blackburn Railway lines used the former ELR station at Blackburn. The NWR was absorbed by the Midland Railway (MR) in 1871, and once the MR began work on its Settle and Carlisle Railway , the LYR decided to resume work on the line north of Chatburn. This was authorised on 24 July 1871, and the 11 + 1 ⁄ 2 miles (18.5 km) were estimated to cost £220,000. Construction north of Chatburn
3081-582: The former Bury Line platforms and the tram line was extended into the streets through a new entrance in the side of the station. In the 1980s and 90s, British Rail adopted a policy of concentrating Manchester services into Manchester Piccadilly . In 1989, the Windsor Link chord in Salford opened, enabling many of Victoria's services from the north to be diverted to Piccadilly and in the same year, trans- Pennine services were also transferred. Victoria
3160-483: The meantime, the LYR and ELR entered into a working agreement in April 1850, and they began to operate in ways that whilst mutually beneficial, were to the detriment of the Blackburn Railway; for example, the ELR charged the Blackburn Railway a toll equivalent to six miles for the use of three-quarters of a mile of the ELR's line through Blackburn; and later, LYR services from Manchester to Blackburn were routed via Accrington instead of Bolton. During 1856, two extensions to
3239-517: The mid-1840s six railway companies operated from the station connecting Manchester to London, Glasgow , Liverpool , Leeds and Sheffield . Victoria Station dominated the Long Millgate area and was one of the biggest passenger stations in Britain. Victoria underwent several phases of expansion as traffic grew. In 1865, four bay platforms were built on the eastern side on land reclaimed from
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3318-550: The mortar had thoroughly set. On 12 June 1848 the remainder of the line between Sough and Bolton was opened. To accommodate the Blackburn trains, Bolton station was enlarged in 1871; and in 1888 a curve at the north end of Bolton station allowed trains to run between the Preston and Blackburn lines without needing to reverse in the station. The route from Blackburn to Hellifield was also opened in two sections. The Blackburn, Clitheroe and North Western Junction Railway (BC&NWJR)
3397-437: The most recent being a business case for the proposal being granted government funds in 2020. The Ribble Valley line was built by several different railway companies, all of which later became part of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway , and so following the 1923 Grouping the whole line was part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway . The southernmost portion of the Ribble Valley line, between Salford and Bolton ,
3476-555: The official reopening that October. The Ordsall Chord was finished in 2017 and links Victoria to Piccadilly. It is anticipated that, after re-routeing services, passenger numbers would increase to 12 million by 2019, compared with 6.6 million in 2011/12. The chord allows trains to run directly between Piccadilly and Victoria, shortening journey times on TransPennine Express routes between Manchester Airport and Newcastle, Redcar, Hull and Scarborough. An express service from Liverpool Lime Street to Newcastle via Victoria
3555-443: The old market site) was situated directly in front of the station building. In 2016 a new interchange opened outside the station with frequent buses heading to the new bus station. In April 2011, £1.7 million was raised for the construction of a canopy on platform 4 and a lift to the subway below. From the refurbishment of the station 10 years earlier, only bus style shelters had been provided with no lift access. On 24 October 2011,
3634-532: The original Liverpool to Manchester line . Most trains calling at Victoria are operated by Northern. TransPennine Express services call at the station from Liverpool to Newcastle/Scarborough and services towards Manchester Airport (via the Ordsall Chord) from Middlesbrough/Redcar/Newcastle. Manchester Victoria is a major interchange for the Metrolink light rail system. Two former railway lines into
3713-484: The original façade on Hunt's Bank. The L&MR became part of the Grand Junction Railway in 1845, which in turn amalgamated with other railways to create the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) in 1846; the M&LR amalgamated with other railways to create the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (L&YR) the following year. The headquarters of the L&YR were based alongside Victoria. By
3792-530: The other calling at Newton-le-Willows ). The other pair of services run westbound to Manchester Airport via the Ordsall Chord and Manchester Piccadilly . Eastbound, there are 4 trains per hour running via Huddersfield , Leeds and York . After York, one train an hour ran to each of Edinburgh , Newcastle , Redcar Central and Scarborough. From the winter 2023 timetable change, the service has been somewhat reduced (due to ongoing staffing issues at
3871-660: The outer platforms A and D are for through trams, city-bound and northbound respectively, and the centre platforms B and C, which both serve the same track, accommodate terminating Manchester Airport services as of 2024. The stop is one of the most used on the Metrolink network. As of 2024, Metrolink services run through Victoria to Altrincham , Bury , East Didsbury , Manchester Airport , Rochdale via Oldham , and Piccadilly . Services run every twelve minutes on each route at most operating times. Bibliography Italics denote building under construction Blackburn railway station Blackburn railway station serves
3950-487: The ownership of British Railways in 1948. Proposals to build an underground station, Victoria Low Level as part of the Picc-Vic tunnel project emerged in the early-1970s. The scheme proposed creating a direct rail link between Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly via a tunnel and creating several underground stations in Manchester city centre . Platforms 1–4 at Victoria were taken out of use in 1973 in anticipation of
4029-572: The rebuild of platform 4 was completed, now boasting a roof matching the one on platforms 1 and 2, lift, heated waiting room and improved flooring. New LED departure information display screens have also been installed. The station has four platforms. The main platform (platforms 1,2 & 3) includes a ticket office, waiting room, toilets and outdoor seating. The separate platform 4 has a heated waiting room and outdoor seating. All three through platforms are bi-directional, meaning that any service can use any platform; however, most trains are booked on
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#17327941390574108-717: The reorganisations of railway companies in the 1920s, the new management had no interest in pursuing the scheme and it was dropped. This meant that the Bury Line remained as the only electrified line into Victoria, and it remained as such until 1991 when it was closed to be converted into part of the Metrolink system. No further electrification came to Victoria until the 21st century, when as part of Network Rail 's Northern Hub scheme, overhead electric wires have been erected to Victoria from Manchester to Liverpool in 2015, and Manchester to Preston and through to Blackpool in 2019. Manchester Victoria has six railway platforms and
4187-624: The rounded corner at the south-east end. The ground floor windows have rounded heads and those on the floors above are square. The ornate glass and iron canopy along the façade displays the names of destinations that the station served in Art Nouveau lettering. The canopy was damaged by the Provisional IRA 's 1996 bomb placed in a street adjacent to the Arndale Centre and was restored four years later. Heritage features in
4266-581: The route was amended by the Blackburn, Darwen and Bolton Railway Act 1846 ( 9 & 10 Vict. c. cccx) so that the BD&BR could use Bolton station. Construction commenced at Darwen on 27 September 1845, and the line was opened between Blackburn and Sough on 3 August 1847. Difficulties were experienced in the construction of Sough Tunnel, and also of the Tonge Viaduct, which collapsed during construction, due to timber centrings being moved before
4345-442: The station for the first time in more than a decade. The station is currently served by two lines: The station was covered by twin train sheds , an architecturally detailed canopy that covered all platforms. In 2000, due to its decaying state, it was removed, changing the nature of the station in a £35 million regeneration project. A new building was built on the main island platform. The Grade II listed original entrance built in
4424-412: The station handled large amounts of parcel and newspaper traffic, an overhead parcels carrier system was constructed in 1895. It consisted of an overhead track which ran in a circuit around the station, upon which electrically powered trolleys ran suspended from the track, operated by airborne attendants. A large basket could be raised and lowered from the trolleys to distribute parcels and newspapers across
4503-431: The station have been converted to tram operations: the line to Bury was converted in the early 1990s, in the first phase of Metrolink construction, and the line through Oldham to Rochdale was converted during 2009–2014. In the other direction, trams switch to on-street running when they emerge from Victoria Station and continue southwards through the city centre to Piccadilly or Deansgate-Castlefield. In 2009, Victoria
4582-736: The station. The system operated until 1940. The L&YR merged with the LNWR on 1 January 1922. A year later, the merged company became the largest constituent of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS). From 16 April 1929, Victoria and Exchange station were linked by the westward extension of platform 11 over the Irwell bridge, known as platform "11 Middle", which joined to Exchange's platform 3 to create Europe's longest platform at 2,238 feet (682 m). Crossovers enabled it to accommodate three trains arriving and departing independently. Exchange Station closed in 1969 and its services were transferred to Victoria. The Exchange Station site opposite
4661-549: The stations en route to Carlisle . This service was extended, from mid-September 2013, to cover Sundays throughout the remainder of the year, with trains running as far as Hellifield. It ceased in December 2022 due to a lack of available train crew, but a replacement Saturdays-only service started in June 2024, marketed as the "Yorkshire Dales Explorer" and running up to and from Ribblehead . The service from Manchester to Clitheroe
4740-606: The town of Blackburn , in Lancashire , England . It is 12 miles (19 km) east of Preston ; it is managed and served by Northern Trains . There has been a station on the current site since 1846, when the Blackburn and Preston Railway (a constituent company of the East Lancashire Railway ) was opened; the contract to build the station having been awarded in November 1845. This route was extended eastwards to Accrington in March 1848 and subsequently through to Burnley and Colne by February 1849. Meanwhile,
4819-563: The tunnel coming to the surface in that part of the station. The tunnel project was cancelled in the late 1970s because of high costs, and in the 1980s transport planners turned to light rail as a lower-cost option. As a result, the stations were linked by the Manchester Metrolink system which opened in 1992. A street-level tramway was built across the city centre linking the stations and two converted rail lines to Altrincham and Bury . The tram stop at Victoria replaced
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#17327941390574898-476: The western end from 4 May 1844, on which date its Liverpool Road station terminus became a goods station. The station was named Victoria in 1843. Its long, single-storey building, designed by George Stephenson and completed by John Brogden , was approached by a wooden footbridge over the River Irk before the river was culverted . Most of the original 1844 station buildings are standing including part of
4977-592: Was arranged. On 16 February 2010, Network Rail announced its intention to refurbish the station as part of the Northern Hub improvement proposals turning it into an interchange for local and regional services throughout north-west England. In August 2010, Network Rail announced the work would go ahead, despite the withdrawal of the £5 million funding. Station improvements included an ETFE roof, restoration of its walls, exterior canopy and period features, new platforms for additional services, improved access to
5056-492: Was authorised by the Blackburn, Clitheroe and North Western Junction Railway Act 1846 ( 9 & 10 Vict. c. cclxv) on 27 July 1846 for a line from a junction with the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) at Daisyfield, east of Blackburn, to a junction with the North Western Railway (NWR) near Long Preston . Construction commenced at Clitheroe on 30 December 1846 but was delayed due to the partial collapse of
5135-458: Was built by the Manchester and Bolton Railway , and opened in 1838; it amalgamated with the Manchester and Leeds Railway (M&LR) in August 1846; a connecting line between Salford and Manchester Victoria was opened in October 1846 and the M&LR amalgamated with other railways in 1847 to form the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (LYR). The route connecting Salford with Manchester Victoria
5214-491: Was closed to a regular passenger service from September 1962, but remained open for freight, passenger diversions and the occasional DalesRail service. However, in 1994, services between Blackburn and Clitheroe were reinstated after a public campaign. Reopening the line for passengers between Clitheroe and Hellifield has been mentioned in some reports and newspapers to provide connections on the Settle Carlisle line, with
5293-500: Was completed in December 2017. The Manchester and Leeds Railway (M&LR) was founded in 1836 and the company began building its line between Manchester and Leeds in 1837. Originally its line terminated at Manchester Oldham Road , which opened on 3 July 1839. The company realised it would be advantageous to join its line to the Liverpool and Manchester Railway (L&MR), creating a through route from Liverpool to Yorkshire with
5372-640: Was designated by the Department for Transport as a community rail service in March 2007. It was announced in March 2007 that major improvements to the line were being proposed by Blackburn with Darwen Council, who unveiled an £8 million bid to the Department for Transport and Network Rail . Improvements may include installing double tracks where presently the route was single line, improved signalling giving increased track capacity, enhanced line speed, longer trains at peak times and ultimately putting on more frequent trains to and from Manchester throughout
5451-555: Was extended into the city-centre streets via a sharp curve south from the platform ends and out through a new entrance in the wall at the side of the station; The system operates on some British Rail lines that have been converted to light rail operation and on-street tram tracks. In October 2009 the Oldham Loop Line was closed for conversion to a Metrolink line. It was completed in March 2014 after reopening in stages to Rochdale town centre . The 1992 Metrolink platforms consisted of an island platform containing platforms B and C, and
5530-431: Was identified as the worst category B interchange station because of its dilapidated fabric and environment. The Transport Secretary, Lord Adonis , announced that, with nine others, it would receive a share of £50 million for a refurbishment programme. Victoria's £5 million share of the 'Better Stations' Network Rail funding for improvements was cancelled in the June 2010 budget cuts, but replacement funding
5609-488: Was improved in 1865. The portion between Bolton and Blackburn Bolton Road was built by the Blackburn, Darwen and Bolton Railway (BD&BR). This company was formed on 27 September 1844, and was authorised by the Blackburn, Darwen and Bolton Railway Act 1845 ( 8 & 9 Vict. c. xliv) on 30 June 1845 to build a line to Blackburn that would connect with the M&BR at Burnden, to the south of Bolton; on 3 August 1846
5688-451: Was in the initial ten proposals that were approved for funding by the government. The bid by campaigners suggests reopening the stations at Chatburn , Rimington , Gisburn and Newsholme with a provision for trains from Clitheroe to run southwards to Leeds after arriving at Hellifield, rather than continuing north to Carlisle. A newly introduced passenger service would increase services southwards from Clitheroe to half-hourly as opposed to
5767-546: Was installed in 1923. At the south end of the concourse is the 'soldier's gate' which opened to the former fish docks from where thousands of soldiers departed for World War I and where a bronze plaque was erected to commemorate them. The gateway was restored in 2015 and a steel screen inserted featuring a map of World War I Commonwealth grave cemeteries in Northern France and Belgium. The station received Grade II listed building status in 1988. Manchester Victoria
5846-609: Was not until both railways had amalgamated with the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway that traffic was concentrated at the main station (the Bolton Road station closing in 1859). The first of two major upgrades to the facilities came the following year, but the opening of the Lancashire Union Railway from St Helens Central and Wigan North Western in 1869, the Great Harwood Loop in 1877 and
5925-571: Was reduced to single track operation in two stages as part of major resignalling projects on the East Lancashire line (1973) and Bolton area (1985). The line between Blackburn and Hellifield was slated for complete closure in 1983 along with the closure of the Settle and Carlisle line, however, this proposal was dropped in 1989. After a public campaign, the line between Blackburn and Clitheroe was reopened to regular passenger services in 1994, and
6004-428: Was reduced to six platforms, and part was sold for development. Between 1992 and 1994, the Manchester Arena was built over the northern part of the station site. Three of the five through tracks between platforms 11 and 12 were removed, along with platforms 12–17. The station was reduced to four through tracks and four through platforms, three of which were built to replace the removed platforms 12–14. They are covered by
6083-512: Was resumed by the LYR in 1873, and was opened as far as Gisburn on 2 June 1879 although it was complete as far as Newsholme ; the last section, between Gisburn and Hellifield, opened on 1 June 1880. The line between Blackburn and Hellifield was closed to passengers on 10 September 1962 but continued to be used for diversions and for freight, and until 15 August 1964 there was a Saturdays-only train from Manchester to Glasgow which used this route. The line between Blackburn and Bolton remained open, but
6162-672: Was the first to lose its passenger services in 1957, whilst the through coaches to London were suspended temporarily in 1959 for electrification work to take place on the Crewe-Manchester line ; these were never reinstated. The biggest losses came though in the 1960s; Wigan Wallgate trains were withdrawn in January 1960, those to Hellifield in September 1962, and the Southport line & Blackpool Central both fell victim to
6241-521: Was voted the worst category B interchange station in the United Kingdom. The station underwent a two-year £44 million modernisation programme which was completed in August 2015. Renovation entailed electrification of lines through the station, renewed Metrolink stop with an additional platform, restoration of listed features, upgraded retail units, and a new roof. The Ordsall Chord directly linking Victoria to Oxford Road and Piccadilly
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