Media centre

Monday 1 Sep 2003

WEEKEND WORKS A SUCCESS

Region & Route:

National

Network Rail engineers have successfully completed the first two sections of a major      £19 million resignalling scheme at one of the North West’s busiest rail junctions. Carried out at Longsight maintenance depot, just south of Manchester Piccadilly, the works included the renewal and modernisation of the signalling control equipment and preparatory work to install 20km of new cable, with two teams of more than 40 staff working around the clock to complete these initial stages. During the two weekend closures, which ran from 23-25 August and 30-31 August, engineers successfully carried out the conversion of around 70 new track circuits and renewed lineside equipment, connecting this to the existing signalling system, which will ensure greater reliability.  Work also included the upgrade of sets of points (which allow a train to pass from one section of track to another) and signalling works along the Styal line, as well as additional maintenance works. Explained Network Rail Project Manager Martin Whyatt: “Now that these works are complete, we have nine further stages to carry out, including the testing of the new interlocking which controls the signalling systems.  This work is scheduled for completion in early December and will be carried out during normal maintenance arrangements, before we commission the new system over the Christmas period.” - more - Longsight-2 Part of Network Rail’s commitment to rebuild the nation’s railway, the modernisation of the West Coast Main Line will help provide a safer, faster and more reliable railway.  During these latest works, a comprehensive network of road replacement services were in operation between affected stations, helping to ensure passengers were able to complete their journeys.