Media centre

Wednesday 2 Sep 2020

Wigan platform extension to bring better rail journeys for passengers

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: North West

A multi-million-pound platform extension at Wigan North Western station will soon provide passengers travelling to Manchester and Leeds with longer and more reliable trains.

The work, as part of the Great North Rail Project, will see platform 3 made longer so it can take four-carriage trains.

This will mean train operator Northern can provide extra capacity for passengers and move more trains in and out of its newly built £46m train depot at Ince-in-Makerfield.

Network Rail is delivering the £4m platform extension scheme. The investment has come from the Department for Transport to improve the reliability and performance of train services for passengers across the North West.

Jonathan Hepton, sponsor at Network Rail, said: “This platform extension is designed to put passengers first, helping to improve capacity on trains from Wigan into Manchester and across the Calder Valley into Leeds.

“It’s another example of the Great North Rail Project in action and will provide longer trains which means more seats for passengers.”

The work will start on 12 September and will be complete in December. Train services will not be affected by the work at the station, which is managed by Avanti West Coast. Passengers are being advised to double check which platform their train is leaving from.

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “This vital upgrade work, delivered as part of the Great North Rail Project, will allow us to fully realise the potential of our new Springs Branch depot at Ince. This will, in turn, enable us to provide additional capacity for customers and deliver the quality of rail service they expect and deserve.”

Zina Nomicas, general manager at Avanti West Coast, said: “We’re working with Network Rail and Northern to minimise the impact of the platform extension work.

“As always, our station team will be on hand to help, and we advise customers travelling to and from Wigan North Western during this time to double-check which platform their train is departing from. We would like to thank customers for their patience while the works take place.”

Meanwhile, passengers are asked to continue following Government guidance around the use of public transport.

Travellers must wear a face covering on train services and any replacement bus services. Those who fail to do so risk being fined £100.

However, some people are exempt, including young children and people with hidden disabilities or breathing difficulties.

For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers

Passengers can plan their journeys by checking www.nationalrail.co.uk.