Category Archives: Technology

Railway Anniversary Month and Strand Road closure

Posted on 30 August 2018 by Pete of MIP

August 1968 was the month of the last steam services.  Preston was involved in these services.   Also in August 2018 Alstom officially closed the Strand Road West Works were trams, trains and motors had been built for over a 100 … Continue reading →

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Tail winds at BAE Systems Lancashire

Posted on 23 July 2018 by Pete of MIP

First there was Tornado, then there was Typhoon and what next?   The concept for the anticipated next aircraft project at BAE Systems in Lancashire and the Royal Air Force has been announced as the Tempest, photographed below. A concept design … Continue reading →

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Qatar signs for Typhoon Jets

Posted on 12 December 2017 by Pete of MIP

After signing a letter of intent in September a contract agreement has been signed by the UK Government and Qatar Government for 24 Typhoon jets and their support, said to be worth £5bn.  The support element will extend the contract … Continue reading →

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Redundancies at BAE Systems

Posted on 23 October 2017 by Pete of MIP

It was announced that 750 posts will go at the Warton and Samlesbury sites of BAE Systems in Lancashire.   Work on Typhoon and Hawk is decreasing.   Contracts with Saudi Arabia and Qatar continue to be discussed. 400 jobs will also … Continue reading →

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Transport Improvements all around Preston

Posted on 25 April 2016 by Pete of MIP

Trams, trains, roads are in the news. Trampower, the company who have been promoting a light rail system in Preston, are pushing to be allowed to run a one mile test track in Deepdale. This will use the old Longridge … Continue reading →

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Christmas Holiday Rain Brings Floods on the Ribble

Posted on 7 January 2016 by Pete of MIP

The River Ribble broke its banks twice over the holidays reaching its highest ever level at Walton Le Dale. The Environment Agency records that 40 significant events have been recorded since 1600. The most significant was in 1866 when flooding … Continue reading →

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What’s my train franchise, announcement for North of England

Posted on 12 December 2015 by Pete of MIP

The new rail franchises for the north of England effecting most Preston services, except Virgin, were announced this week and beginning 1st April 2016 the train operators will be: Arriva / Rail North to operate the Northern Rail Services until … Continue reading →

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Denis Healey RIP and his Preston Effect

Posted on 5 October 2015 by Pete of MIP

Denis Healey, a forceful Londoner brought up as a Yorkshireman, died this weekend at the grand age of 98.  After impressive war service, gaining an MBE in 1945, he joined the Labour Party becoming an MP in 1952.  He was … Continue reading →

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Preston’s new University Engineering Centre

Posted on 26 November 2014 by Pete of MIP

University of Central Lancashire, UCLan, recently announced a new Engineering Innovation Centre to be opened in 2018.   The new building will be located near the Adelphi close to the heart of the UCLan Campus. It will contain equipment to … Continue reading →

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Transport Plans for Central Lancashire

Posted on 21 September 2013 by Pete of MIP

It’s always pleasing to read about new transport and infrastructure projects. Transport is recognised as a key factor in enabling development. This week Transport for Lancashire announced new road schemes.  Their plan of laying infrastructure is to enable the proposals … Continue reading →

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4G mobile signal in Preston area

Posted on 11 August 2013 by Pete of MIP

Mobile phone companies are racing to roll out the new 4G service.  This will speed up mobile internet making video more viable and there is a commitment to making the signal more usable indoors.  Although it will be interesting to … Continue reading →

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Broadband Speeds accelerate across Lancashire

Posted on 23 April 2013 by Pete of MIP

The recent roll out of fibre by BT has brought high speed internet, 80MB maximum, to areas outside of the towns and cities covered by Virgin and more choice within.  Fibre lines are available through BT, Plusnet, Talk Talk, and … Continue reading →

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Typhoon Sale to Oman

Posted on 23 December 2012 by Pete of MIP

Some good news at Christmas – The Sultanate of Oman announced the purchase of 12 Typhoon and 8 Hawk aircraft in a deal said to be worth £2.5bn.   The announcement was made as David Cameron visited Oman and brings … Continue reading →

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Owner of the former BTR Leyland sells off rail interests

Posted on 29 November 2012 by Pete of MIP

When I left school I went for an interview at BTR (British Tyre and Rubber) in Leyland but luckily they didn’t want me. That factory closed with the downturn in manufacturing and end of Leyland Motors as a stand-alone company. … Continue reading →

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Preston Guild 2012 – I was there – Saturday 1st September 2012

Posted on 2 September 2012 by Pete of MIP

Preston Guild is once every 20 years so we weren’t going to miss this one.  We loved the Royal Jubilee, the Olympic Games and we were sure we’d enjoy Preston Guild. It seemed everyone was in a great mood, the … Continue reading →

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Local TV applicants in Preston

Posted on 14 August 2012 by Pete of MIP

The government is planning to grant licenses for up to 65 local TV stations. Applications are now in and successful ones will be announced later this year. They will be expected to start broadcasting within 2 years with many expecting … Continue reading →

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Preston Guild 2012 turns up the heat

Posted on 11 August 2012 by Pete of MIP

Preston comes together as events are announced for the 2012 Guild.  Here are four unmissables: The new multi-million pound ‘Discover Preston’ display in the Harris Museum, opened on 28th July, is something I’ve been burning to see.  On Friday 17th … Continue reading →

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New Hawk aircraft order from Saudi Arabia

Posted on 26 May 2012 by Pete of MIP

Some good news. The government of Saudi Arabia has ordered 22 Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers as part of a package of training equipment which includes 55 Pilatus PC21 basic training aircraft.  The Hawks will be delivered in 2016. This will reduce the … Continue reading →

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Preston area Rail Electrification dates announced

Posted on 27 April 2012 by Pete of MIP

Network Rail have announced the dates for electrified rail services near Preston as follows: Manchester to West Coast Main Line and Newton-le-Willows, December 2013 Newton-le-Willows to Liverpool Lime Street; Hyton to Wigan, December 2014 Preston to Blackpool, December 2015 Manchester … Continue reading →

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Electrification of the Manchester to Blackpool line

Posted on 24 March 2012 by Pete of MIP

The Chancellor confirmed in Wednesday’s budget what had been stated before. That the line from Manchester to Blackpool via Preston will be electrified.  Just to remind us that some money is flowing into the North West, although it doesn’t compare … Continue reading →

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