The £100 million electrification of the railway line between Wigan and Bolton has officially been completed, marking a major milestone in the region’s transport infrastructure. Overhead power lines were brought into service this past weekend, enabling cleaner, quieter electric trains to run along the 6.5-mile route.
On Saturday night (26 July), Network Rail teams finalised the project by unveiling new signage for train drivers and removing temporary barriers at stations where platforms had been extended. These upgrades represent the final phase of a multi-year investment aimed at modernising the line.
Following successful test runs and regulatory approval in recent weeks, the newly installed infrastructure is now fully operational. The project was funded by the Department for Transport and delivered by Network Rail in collaboration with its supply chain and train operating partners.
With electrification now in place, train operators can run longer trains with more carriages, improving capacity and connectivity across the North West. The upgrade also aligns with improvements at the Wigan Springs Branch train maintenance facility, offering greater operational flexibility.
Importantly, the shift to electric trains will reduce the number of diesel services on the route, contributing to better air quality for local communities. Platform extensions at Westhoughton, Hindley, and Ince stations have also been completed, future-proofing these stations to accommodate longer trains and support growing passenger demand.
This transformative project not only enhances the passenger experience but also supports a more sustainable and efficient railway network for years to come.
Since 2022 the project has seen:
- 21 kilometres of power lines installed
- 414 new overhead line equipment stanchions erected
- Six road bridges and one footbridge completely reconstructed
- Modifications to 17 bridges and two-level crossings
- Signalling and track upgrades completed
- Platform extensions at Hindley, Westhoughton and Ince stations
Kathryn Berry, Network Rail scheme project manager, said: “It’s a very proud moment to see this newly electrified railway line enter into service after many years of hard work to modify bridges, level crossings and stations to make way for the overhead power lines.
“I’d like to thank our supply chain, local partners, train operators and lineside neighbours for their patience during construction. Now complete train services will be able to run in electric mode, providing quieter and more reliable journeys, whilst improving air quality for communities along the 6.5-mile route.”
Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern, said: "The electrification of the line between Wigan and Bolton is great news for our customers and the communities we serve. This investment will support faster, more reliable and more sustainable journeys in the future, helping us deliver a better, greener railway for the North. I'd like to thank customers for their patience whilst this upgrade work has been underway."
Image and video credit: Network Rail
