Media centre

Friday 23 Dec 2016

Railway upgrade continues between Manchester and Preston over Christmas

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

Network Rail is reminding residents in Lancashire of work on the railway over Christmas as the upgrade of the line between Manchester and Preston continues.

The work to install foundations in Euxton near Chorley, which will support the new overhead line equipment, will be carried out over three nights between Christmas Eve and Tuesday 27 December. This essential upgrade will enable electric trains to run between Manchester and Preston via Bolton from December 2017.

In advance of the work taking place, Network Rail has written to local residents and a team has been out in the area speaking to neighbours.

Noel Connolly from Network Rail said: “We understand that piling work is noisy activity and we would like to thank local residents in advance for their patience and understanding. The completion of this phase is vital in order to get the railway ready for faster, cleaner and quieter trains, part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan to provide a better railway for passengers in the north west.

“Railway closures on Christmas Day and Boxing Day allow us to complete more work at Euxton Junction in one go, which will mean we can complete the majority of piling work in this area over three nights, rather than a number of weeks. We are mindful that we are working near people’s homes at Christmas time and will do everything we can to keep noise levels to minimum.”

For further information visit www.networkrail.co.uk/euxton  or contact Network Rail’s national helpline on 03457 114 141.