Media centre

Wednesday 24 Mar 2021

Up, up and away: Easter lift for Warrington Bank Quay bridges

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: North West

A giant crane will be used to upgrade bridges around Warrington Bank Quay station this Easter to make future rail journeys more reliable for passengers and freight.

The £3.5m Great North Rail Project investment by Network Rail will see the massive crane removing the old bridge which carries two railway tracks on platform 1 and lifting a new one into place.

A footbridge outside the station will also be upgraded and a disused bridge span will be filled in.

This essential Easter bank holiday weekend work means changes to train services for passengers travelling on the West Coast main line.

Phil James, director for Network Rail’s North West route, said: “Our essential railway upgrades in Warrington will improve performance for passengers and freight and help to play its part in Britain building back better from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We’ve worked with our industry partners to minimise disruption and keep passengers moving this Easter, however some trains will run on alternative routes and others will be replaced by buses through Warrington. I’d urge people to plan ahead by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk”

The government is advising people to minimise travel and stay local over the Easter bank holiday due to Covid-19.

But for those who do need to use the railway, trains on the West Coast main line are being diverted at Crewe through Manchester to Preston.

Bus replacement services will run on routes through Warrington Bank Quay including between Crewe and Preston, as well as between Manchester Piccadilly/Earlestown and to and from Chester and Ellesmere Port.

Gus Dunster, executive director of operations and safety at Avanti West Coast, said: “As Network Rail carry out vital works near Warrington, our trains will be unable to serve Warrington Bank Quay over the Easter weekend. As a result, some journeys may take longer and involve a rail replacement service. We have worked with Network Rail to minimise the impact to journeys if you need to travel.

“We strongly recommend you make a reservation, plan your journey in advance as well as check the National Rail Enquiries and Avanti West Coast websites before travelling.”

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “The engineering at Warrington Bank Quay is another fantastic example of the work being delivered by the Great North Rail Project to improve the region’s railways.

“As an industry we continue to work together to keep disruption for our customers to an absolute minimum and I’d like, in advance, any customers who have to make journeys over Easter for their patience and understanding.”

Andy Carter, MP for Warrington South, said: “I’m always delighted to see funding being put to good use at Warrington Bank Quay. Doing the work while the rail network is quiet makes complete sense to minimise disruption. There are some urgent repairs required which I’ve been pushing for and the £3.5m will improve safety aspects as well as making journeys more reliable.

“I’ve been assured by Network Rail that disruption and noise will be kept to a minimum, with works finishing by late April. If residents have any issues, please contact their 24-hour helpline on 03457 11 41 41.”

Passengers in the North West are urged to check www.nationalrail.co.uk before travelling so they know in advance whether their journeys will be affected by upgrade work.

The work at Warrington Bank Quay station began in January and is due to be finished by the end of April 2021.