RAIL travellers face months of disruption as both platforms are rebuilt at Chorley railway station.

The tracks through the station need to be lowered so that new overhead line equipment required to power electric trains can fit under nearby bridges.

Before Network Rail can complete the work, a 450m retaining wall has to be installed to support the railway.

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The track then has to be realigned through the station so that faster trains can pass each other.

To make this possible both platforms will be rebuilt and the roofs on the two subways inside and next to the station will be replaced.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “Most of the work will take place every weekend from Saturday, June 18, to Sunday, October 2.

“During this time, weekend bus replacement services will be in operation between Preston and Bolton.

“There will also be changes to some weekday evening services Monday to Thursday from July 11 onwards.”

Details of the changes will be available online and at stations from Saturday, May 21. The spokesman added: “We’ll be building a temporary platform for passengers travelling towards Preston while the existing platform one is reconstructed.

“The temporary platform will be located slightly south of the station and will come into use from Sunday, June 19.

“Platform two is being rebuilt in sections and will remain in use throughout the work."

“Closures of Chapel Street and the main station subways are needed while we replace their roofs which sit beneath the railway track.

“We’ll keep one of the subways open at all times to maintain access between the station platforms.

“The closures will be well publicised at the station and staff will be on hand to assist.”

Network Rail also warned that some of the work will be noisy, particularly when installing the retaining wall beneath Lyons Lane and Brooke Street bridges, south of Chorley station.

For safety reasons the work will be carried out during weekends and at night when trains are not running.

The spokesman said: “We will make every effort to minimise any unnecessary noise.

“Furthermore, those working on site will be briefed on working responsibly in the local community.”

Customers can find out how journeys will be changing at Chorley station and on some trains running between Preston and Bolton on Saturday, May 14, from 9am to 1pm.