RAIL bosses who run services in East Lancashire have been told to improve the way they deal with complaints from passengers.

First North Western, along with other rail operators, have been warned by rail watchdog supremo Tom Winsor, that they must deal with grumbles.

Complaints across the North West increased by 60 per cent during 1998, with many relating to services between Clitheroe, Blackburn and Bolton, which are among the worst in the country for delays and cancellations.

And rail user groups throughout East Lancashire have also made several complaints to the company about dirty and untidy trains.

Mr Winsor said: "When a passenger complains, action is needed. I expect train operators to use complaint data to make the necessary improvements. The rising trend is completely unacceptable.

"Passengers should not have to make continual complaints about matters which are simple and cheap to remedy. For example, train operators could move towards reducing the 11 per cent of train quality complaints from the total by just providing clean carriages and a decent catering service."

First North Western has promised action to stop confusing platform changes at Blackburn railway station.

Railtrack are currently demolishing the old station buildings as part of a £5.5million refurbishment, which has meant Platform one has had to be closed, with Platform four re-opened.

Signposts point Manchester, Darwen, Bolton, Preston and Blackpool passengers to platform four, and Yorkshire, Burnley, Colne and Clitheroe-bound passengers to platform two.

But often trains do not keep to this system, which, despite platform announcements, has left passengers with last-minute dashes catch their train. A First North Western spokesman said: "We are aware of the problem and are looking into it."

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