Wednesday 7 Jun 2006
RAIL SERVICES RESUME ON SANDBACH/WILMSLOW LINE
- Region & Route:
Rail services will start running again on 26 June on the Crewe-Stockport-Manchester line through Sandbach and Wilmslow following the £200 million upgrade by Network Rail.
As well as installing a new computer-based interlocking signalling system, Network Rail has also renewed much of the track and other lineside equipment, which will result in a significant improvement in the reliability of train services.
Work started last December, and the line was due to reopen in March, but it became apparent that more time was needed to check the computer data.
Tom McCarthy Network Rail’s programme director said: “When fully commissioned, this system will deliver significant benefits for passengers by delivering a very reliable train service. A similar system was introduced at Cheadle Hulme in 2003 and has since proved to be extremely reliable and effective.”
Mr McCarthy added: “The installation of the new computer based interlocking signalling system took longer than planned. Further testing of the system was needed, as we had to be totally satisfied it was safe. I hope passengers will understand this, and I apologise for the inconvenience they have suffered during the closure of this line.”
The line will re-open with a reduced level of service until fully commissioned. Northern will operate one train an hour in each direction calling at all stations via Wilmslow and Stockport with additional services during the peak periods, while Arriva Trains Wales will operate an hourly fast service. There will also be a stopping service between Wilmslow and Manchester Piccadilly via the Styal line and Manchester Airport.
Passengers from the Crewe area wanting to travel to the airport or Styal line will have to change trains at Wilmslow as it will not be possible to switch trains from one track to another until Network Rail has fully commissioned the new system. Similarly, passengers travelling from the Styal line going beyond Wilmslow will have to change trains.
About Network Rail
We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.
Usually, there are almost five million journeys made in the UK and over 600 freight trains run on the network. People depend on Britain's railway for their daily commute, to visit friends and loved ones and to get them home safe every day. Our role is to deliver a safe and reliable railway, so we carefully manage and deliver thousands of projects every year that form part of the multi-billion pound Railway Upgrade Plan, to grow and expand the nation's railway network to respond to the tremendous growth and demand the railway has experienced - a doubling of passenger journeys over the past 20 years.
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