An army bomb removal team was called to Blackpool North station where an item is believed to have been found next to the runway, near Platform 5.
The Northern train operator confirmed it was a “suspicious package” and the station was evacuated immediately. Police put a 100-meter cordon around the area and cut off several roads for safety reasons.
Talbot Road was cut from Devonshire Road to Cookson Street and road blocks were also in place at Bickerstaffe Square.
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Police fired a 100-meter exclusion zone around the station while bomb squad officers examined the package.
Traffic restrictions on Talbot Road have now been lifted, but the station remains closed.
A bomb removal robot was seen on one of the station’s platforms and passengers waiting outside the station say they heard what appeared to be a controlled explosion.
Dozens of other passengers were reportedly trapped on trains outside the station for several hours, unable to disembark.
Services still operated between Preston and Blackpool South.
Frustrated passengers and shoppers await news outside the station and the nearby Sainsbury’s store.
A Northern statement said: “Due to a security alert at a station between Blackpool North and Preston, all lines are blocked.
“We will be offering services from Blackpool North as soon as the station is declared safe, unfortunately this has also affected Blackpool South as it is leaving staff and stock displaced.”
The services in Blackpool affected are Liverpool Lime Street, Manchester Airport, Hazel Grove and York.
Northern later said that due to the cordon around Blackpool North station, replacement bus services would leave Dixon Road, outside of Funny Girls.
A bomb disposal team arrived at Blackpool North station (Image: Kirsty Daley).