Gordon with Steve Butcher

Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden has met with Northern Rail bosses to discuss the upgrading of Blackpool North station and has urged an increased staff and security presence there and on other Blackpool stations.  

Mr Marsden met area director Steve Butcher and station manager Andy Murray as work began on installing ‘London Underground’ style ticket gates at Blackpool North station. “I welcome the increased emphasis on security and revenue protection that this could mean and was pleased that on the back of it Northern Rail are recruiting extra staff and promising much better visibility of them on the concourse, to help passengers and give reassurance – something I have been pressing them on for over a year” Mr Marsden said.  

“The promise of staff to assist people with disabilities, push chairs and heavy luggage through the gates manually is welcome but needs careful monitoring and feedback from users. As a regular user of the station week by week I will be watching that closely.” 

“I have also pressed Northern Rail on beefing up the security presence – both on trains in and out of Blackpool, especially late at night – in conjunction with British Transport Police – that includes unstaffed stations such as Squires Gate and Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Clearer badging of the South Fylde line at Preston for Pleasure Beach and Airport might also help stimulate greater use – an idea they have promised to go away and look at”.