Back in July 2020 the Clitheroe Line CRP was awarded a grant from the Community Rail Development Fund to help fund a new waiting shelter on the Blackburn bound platform on Clitheroe station. We are pleased to announce that the installation of the shelter is now complete, and it is open for use.
Clitheroe is a busy station on the Ribble Valley Line used by nearly 264,000 passengers in 2018/19 passengers. Until 2019 the station benefitted from the provision of a staffed booking and information office operated by Lancashire County Council. However, austerity cuts by the County Council resulted in the office being closed and all passengers having to use the single shelter on the main up (to Manchester) platform which also houses the TVM (ticket vending machine). The station is particularly busy at peak times in the morning and afternoon and is used by commuters and scholars alike.
This high demand has led to frequent requests by users and their representatives for additional shelter provision on this platform. The most recent survey, carried out by Northern’s apprentices in 2019, identified shelter provision as a priority for users. 53% of respondents to the survey identified the need for better facilities at the station as a priority and this included the provision of additional waiting accommodation.