17.07.14
North west rail electrification work progressing
Work on two key parts of Network Rails’ £1bn investment project to electrify the north west are getting underway.
The bridge over the railway on Rochdale Road in Manchester is to be rebuilt to accommodate overhead electrical lines underneath it – as part of the electrification of the railway between Manchester and Stalybridge.
Work started this week and to complete the rebuild there will be a half road closure in place until 20 August 2014 and then a full road closure from 20 August 2014 to 15 January 2015.
Ian Joslin, area director for Network Rail, said: “I apologise for the disruption this essential rebuild will cause and can assure local people that we have done all we can to plan the work for the shortest and safest amount of time.
“As well as delivering significant benefits to passengers, an electrified railway is also beneficial to those who live near the railway as it will mean quieter trains which produce fewer emissions will travel through the area.”
Rail passengers are also being reminded that train services between Chorley and Leyland will be disrupted from 19 July until the end of August as the Chorley Tunnel is being upgraded.
The track through the 113m tunnel will be lowered to accommodate the OLE on the route between Manchester and Preston, with electric trains due to run from December 2016.
Joslin added: “Significant engineering is required to lower the track and install the electrification equipment inside the tunnel and there is no other option but to close the line while this is carried out.
“The closure has been carefully planned so that it is kept to a minimum and we are working closely with the train operators regarding amended services and disruption.”
To make the most of the closure three bridges will also be rebuilt at Harpers Lane (Chorley), Railway Road (Adlington) and Lockstock Lane (Bolton) as well as the River Chor aqueduct.
Two bridges at Station Road (Blackrod) and Chorley Road (Adlington) will also be modified in preparation for reconstruction in 2015.
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