A railway bridge in Hindley is due to be demolished and replaced as part of the electrification of the line between Wigan and Bolton. Network Rail is investing £78 million into this scheme which would see 13 miles of railway given an overhaul.
Despite objectors raising questions over whether this historic bridge on Ladies Lane, built in the 1840’s, should be protected from a heritage point of view and fears over traffic disruption, Wigan Council were required to green light the proposals. This is because under planning law railway companies have the powers to carry out any work that is deemed necessary for ‘making, maintaining, altering or repairing and using the railway’.
The bridge next to Hindley Railway Station - which will continue to have vehicle and pedestrian access upon completion - will be reconstructed with concrete and incorporate 1.8-metre-high parapets to meet the required standards for electrification.
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Road diversions and bus routes would be implemented during the construction period which is hoped to take place during school holidays, a highways report stated. If this did spill over into term time then Network Rail would be required to fund alternative bus services.
A total of 17 structures like this bridge and Chew Bridge in Westhoughton (that was undertaken earlier this year) will need to be overhauled to make way for overhead lines. The major investment will ensure that older diesel trains can be replaced by cleaner and longer electric rolling stock.
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “The work planned to Ladies Lane bridge is part of the £78m electrification of the railway between Wigan and Bolton which when complete will allow cleaner, greener and longer trains to run between key towns and cities in Greater Manchester. Seventeen bridges and structures on the 13-mile route must be modified to give enough clearance for 25,000-volt cables to be installed to power future trains.
“Plans are being finalised for this latest bridge upgrade and we’ll be issuing more information soon on how it could impact passengers and local people.”
It is hoped by Network Rail that by 2025, the electric trains will ‘provide passengers with greener, more comfortable, and more reliable journeys’.
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