Chris Heaton-Harris, Rail Minister, has today confirmed that the electrification of the Wigan to Bolton railway line has been approved, providing locals with a greener and more reliable railway.
The track from Wigan North Western to Lostock Junction, near Bolton, will undergo a £78m upgrade, expected to be completed in 2024/2025.
13 miles of infrastructure and a number of platforms will be upgraded, and means that diesel trains will be replaced by electric, providing additional capacity to those choosing rail over other modes of transport.
450 overhead wire stanchions will be installed, 17 bridges and two level crossings will be modified.
Platforms at Hindley, Westhoughton and Ince will be extended to reduce overcrowding and provide space for six carriage trains.
This newly announced project also allows more flexibility when moving trains around the North West and also more flexibility when using Springs Branch Depot in Wigan.
Chris Heaton-Harris, Rail Minister, said: “As we Build Back Better and create a railway that truly works for passengers, I am delighted to give this rail upgrade the go-ahead.
“This significant investment will provide a service around Greater Manchester that is better for both passengers and the environment, ensuring our railway plays its part in meeting our ambitious net zero ambitions.”
Phil James, North West route director at Network Rail, said: “To help the region recover from the pandemic, we're turning over a new leaf thanks to the £78million investment to electrify the railway between Wigan and Lostock junction.
“This environmentally and passenger-centric scheme will be a game changer for Greater Manchester's railway as more electric trains mean better air quality, less railway noise and more reliable and spacious journeys for rail travellers.”
Nick Donovan, Managing Director at Northern, said: “The electrification of the line between Wigan and Bolton will make a really positive impact for the North and will help us give our customers better journeys on greener trains.”
“In the past 18 months we have made significant improvements to the Northern network with a fleet of 101 new trains, refurbishment of our older trains and enhancements at stations. Today's announcement provides further evidence of the rail industry's commitment to improve and modernise our services and infrastructure to benefit passengers and the environment.”
Transport for the North's Chief Executive, Martin Tugwell said “It's great news that a commitment has now been made to electrify this key section of the rail network, It may be just one piece in a bigger jigsaw, but it will support sustainable rail in this area of the North West for many years to come.”
Where Next?
RAILADVENT NEWS
The latest railway news
RailAdvent Plus
Discounts, videos, pictures and more!
FREE NEWSLETTERS
Signup to our daily and weekly newsletters
RAILADVENT SHOP
Railway Prints, DVD's / Blu-Ray's, books and more
LOCOSTOP COMMUNITY
Come and share your railway pictures
UK STEAM INFO
Upcoming mainline steam tours/loco movements
It makes sense to electrify that section what would help is the springs branch extending to just east of Ince. That would reduce the number of movements through Wigan station. It will become a bottle neck if not done. Its less than a mile.
That great news. Perhaps Network Rail should also continue on AC 25kv electrification including Colton Junction-Neville Hill, Kirkham & Wexham-Fleetwood, Cricklewood/Hendon-Willesden Junction, Cardiff Central-Swansea and Didcot Parkway-Oxford.
And DC 750v 3rd Rail electrification including Hurst Green-Uckfield, Ore-Ashford International, Wokingham-Guildford & Guildford-Reigate and South Acton-Brentford.
Nice to here or rail projects around the country. Traffic is worsening. But in my local area (Lancashire) there’s a group wanting to open the old line from colne to Skipton, thay have tried so hard but this project seems to have stalled, would like to see this happen in my life time. Can someone shed some light on this as to what is going on ,
Sort of good news. However, the route through Atherton remains unelectrified, and ths is an impoertant commuter line. Perhaps this line can be converted to hydrogen operated trains, which will eventually replace all electic lines.
The tunnel at Pendlebury would be a major reason for possibly not electrifying this line as it appears to be now designated for freight and a limited hourly passenger service