In a transformative upgrade, both passenger and freight trains are now benefiting from a comprehensive overhaul of the signalling system at one of Britain's busiest railway junctions.
Network Rail has invested £190 million in Crewe, enhancing tracks, lineside equipment, and installing digital signalling at Basford Hall freight depot and its connecting lines to the West Coast main line.
As of Friday, January 3rd, the new signalling system is fully operational, with control successfully transferred to the state-of-the-art Rail Operating Centre in Manchester. This milestone marks the end of a two-year project, which saw the retirement of three traditional signal boxes over Christmas, replaced by advanced digital technology now managing train movements across much of the North West.
The extensive work included:
- Installation of 65 new LED signals
- Construction of 6 new structures for signal display
- Laying of 24 km of new signalling power cable
- Installation of 30 km of fibreoptic cabling
- Erection of 7 new buildings to house control systems
- Renewal of 5 km of railway drainage
- Upgrading of 74 sets of points, including heating systems to prevent freezing in cold weather
This significant upgrade required a phased closure of the railway in Crewe over the festive period, impacting passenger journeys for 10 days. It involved one of the largest rail replacement bus operations the town has ever seen. Network Rail collaborated closely with Avanti West Coast for months to ensure passengers could still travel during the Christmas closure. Crewe Alexandra FC’s car park at Gresty Road served as the base for the rail replacement operation, with 400 coaches transporting customers on December 27th alone.
Christian Irwin, Network Rail’s North West and Central region Capital Delivery director, said: “Today is the start of a new era for the way we signal freight and passenger trains through Crewe - one of the busiest junctions on Britain’s railway. This major investment, using the latest technology, benefits both passengers and freight, getting people and goods to where they need to be more smoothly and reliably.
“We know that over Christmas this has caused disruption for passengers and we’d like to thank you for bearing with us while we made these crucial Crewe upgrades which will improve future journeys for years to come.”
Louise Ward, Freightliner safety and sustainability director, said: “Basford Hall is one of our big hub locations – it’s the point where we join freight trains which are going on to London and where we split trains which are going up to the North of the country.
“The resignalling is all about making the railway as efficient and resilient as it can possibly be. This major investment will make sure that freight and people get to where they need to be, when they need to be there.”
Chris Liptrot, Avanti West Coast operations director, said: “We’re excited the upgrades to the signalling system at Crewe are now complete and would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding, as well as Crewe Alexandra Football Club for their efforts to support those making rail journeys, while Network Rail carried out these works.
“Modernising the signals at a key hub on our network is an important milestone for the railway and will help to make journeys on the West Coast Main Line more reliable for decades to come.”
Image credits: Network Rail
