TRAVELLERS were today assured of major improvements in East Lancashire rail services, after a former Blackburn-man revealed a 10-year improvement plan.

Transport Secretary Stephen Byers promised commuters using the area's rail network would begin to see the difference, following the plan announced by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA), which is headed by Blackburn-born Richard Bowker.

The plan outlines his blueprint for the next decade and includes confirmation that the new franchise for the Trans-Pennine Express, which runs from Preston to Leeds, through Blackburn, Accrington and Burnley, would be awarded later this year with services to begin early in 2003.

And it proposed major improvements to the Blackburn to Manchester service, including new track and trains.

The plan also sets out provision for new, high-speed tilting Pendolino trains on the West Coast main line from London to Preston and Glasgow, by May 2003.

East Lancashire rail-users frequently complain of late running or cancelled services and the Lancashire Evening Telegraph recently reported the travel diary of commuter Emma Jones from Accrington.

Her catalogue of late or cancelled trains prompted apologies and pledges for the future from both First North Western and Arriva, which operate on the East Lancashire Line.

First North Western admitted problems due to a shortage of drivers and train reliability. It claimed over half the problems were due to rail infrastructure.

In an exclusive interview with the Evening Telegraph, Mr Byers promised that there would be major improvements for East Lancashire rail passengers as a result and denied that the area had been 'forgotten' by the SRA.

Mr Byers said: "Lots of people just think the Trans-Pennine franchise is only about the links between the major cities -- Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford, Newcastle.

"A lot of the feeder branches will also benefit from that. You ignore those feeder lines at your peril, because they bring the life to the major network.

"We've got to look very carefully at the detail of how we can ensure that communities do benefit from an effective railway system.

"The franchise route goes across the East Lancashire line and the SRA will be looking very carefully at that line.

"The Trans-Pennine franchise must look at the interlinks with other franchise operators as well."