OREANDA-NEWS. Network Rail is investing more than ?1bn in the north of England to provide passengers with a better railway. To electrify the line the bridges have to be rebuilt to increase the clearance underneath to accommodate overhead lines which will power the trains.

Over the past 18 months Network Rail has reconstructed 15 road bridges and four footbridges, along with demolishing one bridge which is no longer used and reconstructing River Chor Aqueduct.

Grimeford Lane in Blackrod will close on 27 July, and is due to reopen on 16 November. A temporary footbridge has been constructed in advance of the closure to maintain pedestrian access.

This is part of a wider work which saw the track lowered through Chorley Tunnel last summer, and will see a new tunnel at Farnworth.
Each bridge requires significant work to replace the bridge deck which can only be completed during 24/7 working over weekends when the railway is closed.

As there are limited weekends when the railway can be closed the bridges have to be completed simultaneously so the electrified railway between Manchester and Preston via Bolton will be available for use by December 2016.

John Johnson, project manager for Network Rail, said: “These bridge rebuilds are an essential part of the electrification of the railway which will provide passengers with a faster, more reliable and efficient railway.

“I apologise for the disruption caused to the surrounding road network but we have worked closely with the local authority to plan the diversions and will complete the work in the quickest and safest possible way.”

Councillor David Chadwick, Bolton Council’s cabinet member for highways, transport and community services said: “This is the final piece of the jigsaw for bridge reconstructions by Network Rail. There has been a great deal of inconvenience to the travelling public and I am grateful to them for their patience and understanding during these difficult times. I am sure that the modernisation of the Manchester to Preston line will have big future benefits for passengers.”

Electrification of the railway will provide faster and more frequent services, with more seats for passengers, and help support economic growth across the north west of England.