Monday 23 Feb 2009
RAIL LINE REOPENS AS WORK BEGINS ON NEW CAR PARK
- Region & Route:
The railway line between Southport and Wigan reopened this morning following a week-long closure for a £1m makeover between Gathurst and Appley Bridge. Now work starts on a new multi-storey car park at Wigan North Western station. This will mean the closure of the existing facility.
Gary Openshaw, Network Rail’s area general manager, said: “Passengers will feel the benefit of the new track we have laid. The continuously welded rail we have used gives a smother, quieter ride for passengers and reduces wear and tear on train wheels because there are no joints in the track.
”Timing was crucial for both projects. We closed the railway line over the half term holiday because with the schools shut there would be fewer passengers travelling.
“It was essential that the track work was finished on time because the car park at North Western is being closed (from 23 February) for the best part of a year while we build a multi-storey facility.”
The new glass-clad 400 space car park at North Western station, incorporating futuristic wind turbines which have been likened to egg whisks, will take until the end of the year to complete. Alternative parking is being provided in Chapel Street.
Notes to editors
During the week-long closure, two miles of new track were laid between Appley Bridge and Gathurst, using continuously welded rails (CWR) on a mixture of both steel and concrete sleepers. CWR gives a smother, quieter ride for passengers and reduces wear and tear on train wheels because there are no joints in the track. While the line was closed, Network Rail also took the opportunity to improve visibility at 14 level crossings on the five-mile stretch of line between Parbold and Meols Cop by cutting back overhanging vegetation.Contact information
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