CHORLEY station has been earmarked for development as part of a scheme to regenerate the North West's railways - but local commuters may still find themselves caught short.

Improvements have been proposed as part of Railtrack's £1.5 billion commitment to the regional rail network. Yet there are no plans to install public toilets at Chorley.

work on the station is expected to begin in May, once the national rail network operator has carried out a feasibility study in conjunction with local train companies.

Chorley councillor Ralph Snape believes that improvements are long overdue, and must include the installation of public conveniences.

He said: "We have had no toilets on the station since it was refurbished in the early 80s. It wouldn't take a great deal of expense to put them in - the drainage system is obviously there, as they have toilets for the staff!

"The main argument I've heard against station toilets is that they have loos on the train - but this is not always the case. And what do you do if a train is delayed for half an hour - cross your legs?"

Coun Snape added that he will be writing to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott if new plans for the station do not include public lavatories.

"I spoke to Mr Prescott when he visited Chorley station before the last general election. I said: 'I hope you don't want to go to the toilet as there aren't any'. He promised to look into it, but that was two years ago and I haven't heard anything since."

Railtrack spokesman Nigel Barber said: "We are developing plans for the regeneration of Chorley station. At the moment, we are at the preparatory stage.

"The issue of station toilets is really a matter for the train operator. If the operator feels there is a need for toilets, then we would be more than happy to speak to them."

However, a spokesman for station operator First North Western said: "There are no plans to provide any toilets at Chorley at this stage."

The proposed redevelopment at Chorley is part of Railtrack's four-year plan to upgrade the nation's rail network, which was launched in May 1997 to address the problems of underfunding on the railways.

The scheme has already seen track improvements on the Bolton to Blackburn line. Other plans for Lancashire's rail network include the rebuilding of Blackburn station and a review of journey times between Leeds and Blackpool.

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