£2 million Lancashire rail upgrade completed after five-day closure

A major £2 million railway upgrade between Wigan and Southport has been completed, enhancing travel for passengers.

Spanning five days, the project led by Network Rail and Central Rail Systems Alliance concluded on 31st August, with services resuming today.

The extensive works in Parbold involved replacing 1,100 metres of ageing track, installing 750 new sleepers, and re-using 600 sleepers to reduce costs and environmental impact.

5,500 tonnes of ballast were laid, providing a solid foundation for the renewed railway.

Critical infrastructure enhancements were implemented to protect the line from potential flooding, an issue in the past due to heavy rainstorms.

These improvements ensure trains can run at full speed, offering passengers faster and more reliable journeys through this section.

Previous flooding risks are mitigated, securing operational stability even in adverse weather conditions.

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• lancashire
• network rail