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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Melissa Major & Sophie Halle-Richards

Bomb squad scrambled to Blackpool station as passengers evacuated due to suspicious package

Passengers at Blackpool station have been evacuated after a suspicious package was discovered on the train track this morning.

Bomb squads have been scrambled to the seaside town and are expected to arrive at the scene within the next half an hour, after the package was found trackside near Platform 5, Lancs Live reports.

Rail passengers have reported they are stuck on trains just outside the station because of the incident. Network Rail has confirmed that a 100m exclusion zone was put in place after the package was found.

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Confirming the news on Twitter, a Northern spokesperson replied to a passenger and said: "A safety evacuation has taken place due to a suspicious package, sadly we do not have a timescale for this at present."

Trains have understandably been delayed due to the ongoing incident and it is not known when these will resume. Network Rail said when the scene is made safe they will resume all travel.

Traffic is also building in the area as nearby Talbot Road has been closed in both directions. .Devonshire Road and Topping Street are also closed too because of it. Northern has posted on their website that the disruption at the station is expected until 12.15pm.

In a statement, Blackpool Police said: "We are supporting British Transport Police with an ongoing incident at Blackpool North Train Station. A cordon is in place and some buildings have been evacuated as a precaution.

"Talbot Rd is currently closed from the junction with Devonshire Rd to Cookson St, as well as the areas of Blackpool North Train Station and Bickerstaffe Sq. Please avoid the area where possible."

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