The railway line between Wigan and Bolton is officially cleaner and greener following the completion of a £100 million electrification project, with overhead power lines successfully entering service this weekend.
Overnight on Saturday, 26th July, Network Rail teams put the finishing touches on the multi-year investment. This included unveiling new train driver signage and removing barriers at stations that have seen platform extensions as part of the upgrade. The completion follows successful test train running and regulatory sign-off in recent weeks to commission the newly installed infrastructure along the 6.5-mile route connecting the two Greater Manchester towns.
The significant £100 million investment from the Department for Transport has been delivered by Network Rail in collaboration with its supply chain and train operating partners. With the project now complete, cleaner and quieter trains can run under electric power along the route, signalling a boost for sustainable travel in the region.
The electrification also provides future benefits, enabling operators to run longer trains with more carriages over greater distances, which will enhance train connectivity across the North West of England.
Since the project began in 2022, works have included:
- 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.
- Completion of signalling and track upgrades.
- 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.”
Electrifying this section of railway provides greater operational flexibility for train operators and aligns this part of the network with upgrades made to a train maintenance facility at Wigan Springs Branch. Critically, it will also reduce the number of diesel trains operating on the route, leading to improved air quality for local residents. The platform extensions at Westhoughton, Hindley, and Ince stations have future-proofed these locations, allowing for longer trains with more seating to serve these communities for years to come.
