11.07.18
Trains on the Manchester-Preston line will not be electrified until 2019
Article by Callum Wood of Rail Technology Magazine
Northern has announced it will not be electrifying the Manchester - Preston line until 2019.
Its decision was finalised after the announcement of the timetable changes in December.
TOC managing director David Brown said: “We remain totally focused on, and committed to, modernising the Northern network with new and refurbished trains, better stations and more services by 2020.”
Electrification of the Manchester-Preston line began in May 2015 and was due to finish in December 2016. But several delays meant that passengers have been forced to endure months of disruption on one of the regions most travelled lines.
Martin Frobisher, who heads up the London North Western route at Network Rail, said he was disappointed to miss the May target, but added: “It is important we view this within the full context of the Great North Rail Project.’’
Brown added: “At Northern we’ve seen our services continue to stabilise with our interim timetable and we’re working hard with Network Rail to ensure service levels continue to improve. The number of services we operate will begin to increase from August as we review our interim timetable period. We’re truly sorry for what happened to customers.
“We expect to start a gradual roll-out of electric trains on a phased basis on the Bolton Corridor in early 2019 — this planning is work in progress.”
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