19.08.19
Mid-Cheshire Line speed increase after £800k rail upgrade
Following the completion of an £800,000 investment into new railway tracks, passenger trains operating on the Mid-Cheshire Line between Northwich and Manchester have seen their potential speed tripled.
As part of the Great North Rail Project, old sleepers, railway stone and rail were replaced and upgraded with modern equivalents through Hale, allowing the current 20mph limit on trains to be increased up to 60mph.
Network Rail planning manager Adrian Brookes said: “This will help Cheshire and Greater Manchester passengers get to their places of work or leisure more comfortably, faster and more reliably.
“We are very grateful to passengers and lineside neighbours for their patience during late July and early August while the railway was closed to complete this vital renewal work.”
Simon Elliott, head of rail programme at Transport for Greater Manchester, added: “This upgrade is a superb example of the Great North Rail project in action. It will mean faster, more comfortable journeys and hopefully encourage more people to choose to travel by train.”
As part of the works, 2,500 tonnes of ballast, 700 new sleepers and 500m of new drainage were lain along the 1km section of track.
Work was completed over three consecutive Sundays in June and July, before being completed last weekend, in order to ease the impact on mid-week services utilised by city commuters.