The railway line between Wigan and Bolton will be closed for SIX days, Network Rail has warned.
The closure starts tomorrow (Saturday) with replacement buses put on for passengers while work continues on the electrification of the line.
Between Saturday and Friday, May 12 replacement buses will run between Wigan North Western, Westhoughton, Daisy Hill, Ince and Lostock.
In preparation for the installation of high-voltage overhead electricity cables, alterations need to be made to 17 railway structures along the route.
One of those is Ladies Lane bridge in Hindley and work began in March when the road was closed.
The work at Hindley from 6-12 May blocks the line completely for through services between Wigan and Manchester so buses will operate between Wigan to Bolton via Westhoughton and Wigan to Manchester via Atherton line - Ince, Hindley, Daisy Hill, Hagfold, Atherton, Walkden, Moorside, Swinton all affected stations.
Plans to electrify part of the rail line between Bolton and Wigan were unveiled in 2021.
Claire Davis, scheme project manager at Network Rail, said: “We’ve reached the stage the railway needs to close in this important project which will one day enable cleaner, greener trains to run between Wigan and Bolton.
“While rail replacement buses will be in operation to keep passengers on the move, journeys will take longer, and I’d advise people to check National Rail Enquiries so they know exactly what to expect while travelling between 6 and 12 May.
“I’d also like to thank residents and businesses in Hindley for their continued patience and support while we carry out this major bridge upgrade, which will secure the town’s vital railway link for generations to come.”
The rail company is closing the section as part of their £78m investment to upgrade the 6.5-mile stretch of railway to enable electric trains to serve North West towns in the future.
The investment will see engineers electrifying the railway between Wigan and Bolton to enable "greener, cleaner, quieter trains".
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While Ladies Lane bridge is closed a diversion route is in place for road users.
A temporary walkway will be provided during the construction work to allow pedestrian access over the railway line.
Cyclists must dismount to cross the temporary walkway.
The route will on occasion need to close when cranes are being used to lift heavy components of the new bridge structure when it is being rebuilt.
People planning rail travel between those dates are being advised to check www.nationalrail.co.uk in advance and to allow extra time for their journeys.
If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @chloewjourno.
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