Bolton train passengers warned about drainage work closures

The trainline is set to be closed at station between Bolton, Salford Crescent, Salford Central, Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria over the next five weekends as works take place.

This is to allow £2.7million worth of drainage work to reduce flooding and make railway travel more reliable.

Network Rail project manager Tom Carrington said: “We are very sorry to weekend passengers travelling between Bolton and Manchester for the inconvenience to their journeys while we put in a better drainage system to future proof the railway from heavy rainfall experienced during recent storm events.

“While journeys can still take place between Bolton and Manchester via bus replacement services, and from Preston and Blackpool with train services diverting through Wigan, it’s important passengers know their travel options first by checking before they travel at nationalrail.co.uk.”

Trains around Greater Manchester will be affected (Image: Network Rail)

The works come after several weeks of disruptions to rail services around Bolton and elsewhere in the region caused by flooding and storm damage in recent weeks.

The railway between Bolton and Manchester will now be closed every weekend from Saturday January 6 to Sunday February 4, which will allow 1404 metres of new drainage pipes to be laid.

This will also see six-foot trenches dug to better manage water levels which Network Rail says will help to ensure that passengers and freight are kept on the move.

Northern says during the weekend closures it will provide bus replacement services between Bolton and Manchester Piccadilly to take the places of the cancelled trains.

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Trains from Blackpool North and Preston will divert via Wigan and services from Windermere and Barrow will start and terminate at Bolton.

TransPennine Express services between Scotland and Manchester Airport will start and end at Preston.

Northern regional director Craig Harrop said: “I’d like to thank our customers for their co-operation and patience while these important works take place.

“It is important to allow more time for your journey during this period and if in doubt, ‘check before you travel’ on the Northern website.”