Passengers travelling between Wigan and Southport are benefiting from smoother, more reliable journeys after Network Rail completed a major £2 million track renewal programme in Parbold.
The route has now reopened following a five-day closure, during which engineers carried out extensive upgrades designed to improve performance, increase resilience and reduce the risk of flooding on a section of railway that has experienced problems during severe weather in recent years.
Working between 27 and 31 July, Network Rail and contractor Central Rail Systems Alliance delivered a significant package of improvements, including:
- Replacing 1,100 metres of ageing track
- Installing 750 new sleepers
- Reusing 600 existing sleepers to reduce both costs and carbon emissions
- Laying 5,500 tonnes of new ballast to strengthen the track foundation
- Enhancing drainage and infrastructure to better protect the line from future flooding
The investment will allow trains to continue operating at full line speed through the area, helping to improve journey times and reliability for passengers travelling across Lancashire and Merseyside.
The project also delivers vital climate resilience benefits. Parbold has previously been affected by flooding during periods of heavy rainfall, with water impacting rail operations and causing disruption to services. The improvements are designed to help safeguard the route against similar incidents in the future.
Brian Paynter, Network Rail track, buildings and civils portfolio delivery director, said:
"I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carried out these important railway upgrades this week to improve future journeys between Wigan and Southport.
“Now our work in Parbold is complete it will mean smoother, more reliable journeys, and better protection from flooding which has been a problem in this area in recent years.”
The successful completion of the scheme forms part of Network Rail's ongoing investment in maintaining and modernising infrastructure across the North West, ensuring passengers and freight operators continue to benefit from a safer, more dependable railway.
Photo and Video credits: Network Rail
