Blackpool branch lines 2 miles of the M55 also occupy the former trackbed, until the Blackpool North line travels under the motorway at the point where the lines used to merge. The electrification of the Manchester to Blackpool North route was announced in December 2009. The main work of piling etc. to accomplish this commenced in early 2017. Bridgeworks along the route to raise and rebuild those that had insufficient clearance for overhead wires was completed first. Services over both the Blackpool South and Blackpool North branches temporarily ceased on 11 November 2017 to allow the track layout at Blackpool North and Kirkham
Transport in Preston Lancashire) and M61 (Preston - Manchester), which connect to the M6 south of Preston. Preston has many major A roads running through it. The longest one is the A6, which comes from Lancaster in the North, runs down the centre and goes South-East towards Chorley. The A6 connects Carlisle to Luton, being the second longest road in Britain. Another A road that runs through Preston is the A59 which comes from the South West from Liverpool towards Clitheroe in the North East. Other A roads converging in Preston or its outskirts include the A49, A582, A583, A584, A675, A677, A5072