Passengers have been braced for travel chaos as railway lines are set to completely close near Wigan. Those using the West Coast Mainline routes are being urged to plan journeys ahead of four weekends of railway improvements.
Network Rail is investing £1.5m to upgrade railway foundation stone and six switches and crossings – moving sections of track which allow trains to change lines. However, this will mean the railway will need to close completely between Wigan North Western station and Lancaster on four weekends. No trains will serve Preston station at all on those dates.
Avanti West Coast staff will be on hand to help passengers, with rail replacement bus services set to be in operation between Wigan North Western, Preston and Lancaster.
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Where the West Coast main line is open, passengers are advised that fewer services will be running, and that those services are expected to be much busier and will take longer than usual.
The railway will be shut off between Wigan North Western and Lancaster on:
- Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 February
- Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 February
- Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 March
- Sunday 12 March
Phil James, Network Rail’s North West route director, said: “I’d like to thank people in advance for their understanding ahead of our essential track improvements at Preston station. Once complete it will mean better, smoother and more reliable journeys for passengers and freight on the West Coast main line.
“However, upgrading complex equipment like switches and crossings means we have no choice but to close sections of railway and stop trains running so engineers can quickly and safely carry out our work. I’d urge anyone wanting to travel over the four weekends concerned to check National Rail Enquiries and plan ahead, allow extra time to get to where you need to be, and be prepared for some of your journey to be by bus.”
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