News

BLACKPOOL NORTH FIRST FOR NEW TICKET GATES

31st October 2007

The first automatic ticket gates on the Northern Rail network will be installed at Blackpool North Station in the next few weeks.

The six new ticket gates will help reduce congestion at peak times, improving customers’ journeys through the station. The gates will also help reduce the number of people travelling without a ticket, estimated to cost the rail industry £210 million every year.

Work is underway to install the ticket gates in the main concourse, near to the ticket office. As part of these improvements the entrance to the station from High Street will be closed to become a fire exit only. The main entrance from Talbot Road will remain unchanged. The ticket gates will be operational from early December.

Posters and leaflets explaining how the ticket gates work are available at Blackpool North station.

Steve Butcher, Area Director North, Northern Rail said: “These new ticket gates are simple to use and I’m sure customers will soon start to see the benefits with reduced congestion during peak hours. They are also proven to reduce anti-social behaviour helping to maintain a more secure environment. The gates won’t be replacing people though and our station team will continue to be on hand to advise and assist customers.”

Further information about automatic ticket gates >>