Replacement buses to run between Southport and Wigan next week
Rail passengers travelling between Southport and Wigan Wallgate will need to use replacement buses next week while Network Rail carries out track renewal work near Parbold.
The railway will be closed from Monday 27 July to Friday 31 July, with no trains running between Southport and Wigan Wallgate. Buses will operate between the two destinations, calling at some intermediate stations.
Northern trains between Southport and Manchester will be amended. Services towards Manchester Oxford Road and Stalybridge will start or finish at Wigan North Western, while other services will continue to use Wigan Wallgate. Passengers changing between the two Wigan stations should allow extra time.
Network Rail is replacing nearly a kilometre of track, along with sleepers, ballast and the formation beneath the railway. The work is intended to improve ride quality, drainage and reliability, while reducing delays and speed restrictions in the Parbold area.
"Our teams will be replacing nearly a kilometre of track, sleepers and the ‘formation’ below the railway, as the current track is nearing the end of its life. Once renewed, the track will benefit from improved drainage and offer a more resilient, smoother, and more reliable railway."
"We know there is never an ideal time to close the railway and we are using this closure to complete multiple pieces of work, avoiding the need for two or three weekends of disruption. We would like to thank passengers for their patience during the closure."
Derek Davies, Network Rail’s project manager, said the work would provide a more resilient railway.
“We’re advising customers to check before they travel and allow extra time for their journeys while this essential engineering work is being carried out.
“There will be no trains between Southport and Wigan Wallgate, but we will be running rail replacement buses to get customers where they need to go and their tickets will be accepted on alternative routes.”
Stuart Taylor, Northern’s director of service delivery in Greater Manchester, issued the advice.
Northern customers will be able to use their tickets on Merseyrail services between Southport and Liverpool, and on Northern services between Liverpool and Manchester, Preston and Ormskirk, and Preston and Manchester.
Train services are due to resume on Saturday 1 August, although National Rail says the 06:03 Southport to Manchester Oxford Road service will start from Wigan Wallgate at 06:37. Passengers should check their journey before travelling at National Rail Enquiries.
