Wigan to Bolton electrification

We’re upgrading the railway between Wigan and Bolton, which involves electrifying the route and carrying out signalling improvements between Lostock Junction and Wigan North Western station. 

Project timeline

The project started in 2022 and will be finished in 2025.

What work is taking place?

We are investing £100m to deliver greener and more reliable rail journeys in the North West. The work involves electrifying the route between Wigan and Bolton and carrying out signalling improvements between Lostock Junction and Wigan North Western station. 

The upgrade will provide 450 new overhead line equipment stanchions, modifications to 17 bridges and two level crossings. Platforms will also be extended at Hindley, Westhoughton and Ince stations to reduce overcrowding at peak times and cater for six-carriage trains in the future.

When is the work taking place?

We have been working along the route since 2022.

Sometimes we can work overnight when trains are not running, however, sometimes we need to close the railway to carry out major work, such as a bridge replacement or installing the overhead line equipment.

We will always let residents and passengers know of major work ahead of time.

Supporting our neighbours and the community 

Residents living near the railway will receive letters about any work affecting them. 

To stay informed with the latest updates, you can sign up for digital notifications. 

Additionally, we provide a quarterly newsletter with a preview of our upcoming work across the route. 

How will this work affect me?

Our lineside neighbours will often be impacted by us working in close proximity and may experience disruption from our work. It is often our work is often noisy, late at night and at weekends.

We do our best to keep noise and disruption to a minimum, scheduling in noisy work during the day where possible. This isn’t often possible, as we can’t complete many activities whilst the railway is operational. This means we wither have to work overnight, on Sundays or apply to close the railway line for a short period.

Currently, Ince station and Ince Green Lane are closed until November 2024 so we can carry out the work safely.

Why is the work needed?

Through electrifying almost 13 miles of infrastructure and lengthening platforms, this work will allow CO2 emitting diesel trains to be replaced by electric rolling stock in the future.

Longer trains with additional capacity will provide passengers with greener, more comfortable and more reliable journeys.

Electric trains are better for the environment than diesel trains, and they’re quieter for both those on board the train and those living close to the railway. We’re making it possible for electric trains to travel on more areas of the rail network by electrifying railway lines that only diesel trains can run on at the moment.

This will help support economic growth throughout Wigan and Bolton as electrification brings more reliable travel and will help reduce the cost of running and maintaining the railway.

Contact us

For more information or to get in touch with us, please contact us by visiting our contact us page or calling our 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.

If you would like to receive email updates on how you will be affected by our work you can sign up for updates at: Register and sign up to digital notifications.