Passengers and service-users are set to benefit from a better overall experience, as Network Rail surges ahead with its Wigan to Bolton electrification project.
The infrastructure owner is moving ahead with a £78m investment that will upgrade the six-and-a-half mile stretch of railway to deliver greener and cleaner trains for the future.
As preparation for the high-voltage electricity cables’ installation, changes to as many as 17 railway structures will need to take place; the first of which will be Ladies Lane bridge, which will be replaced between the 13th of March and the 14th of July.
During this time, Hindley station will also see closures to allow Network Rail to extend the station’s platforms, ultimately increasing capacity for passengers.
Network Rail say that, whilst works such as these are cautiously planned to ensure as little disruption is caused to passengers as possible, a six-day shutdown will be required between the 6th and 12th of May. Replacement buses will run during that time between Wigan North Western, Westhoughton, Daisy Hill, Ince and Lostock.
Claire Davis, Scheme Project Manager at Network Rail, said: “We’re progressing with this major project to electrify the railway between Wigan and Bolton and bring cleaner, greener and longer trains in the future to this key route in the North West.
“This next phase of work will make sure Ladies Lane bridge will be compatible with the complex web of overhead wires when they are installed. The work at Hindley station and Ladies Lane bridge will bring some disruption to road users and rail passengers.”
Northern’s Regional Director, Chris Jackson, added: “All investment in rail infrastructure that will improve the customer experience is very much welcomed. These alterations at Ladies Lane bridge are an important part of the electrification process of the Wigan to Bolton line and I’d like to thank passengers that would normally use Hindley station for their co-operation while the work is carried out.”
Network Rail is advising those intending to travel by train between Wigan and Bolton during those aforementioned dates to check www.nationalrail.co.uk ahead of time and give themselves extra time to complete their journeys.
