Transport for the North has welcomed news that what it describes as a “key section of the North West’s rail network” will be electrified.
It follows the Government’s announcement of a £78 million plan to erect wires over the 13 miles between Lostock Junction and Wigan North Western. The scheme also includes the lengthening of platforms (RAIL 939).
Describing the announcement as “great news”, TfN Chief Executive Martin Tugwell added: “It may be just one piece in a bigger jigsaw, but it will support sustainable rail in this area of the North West for many years to come.”
The ‘infill’ project brings the prospect of journey time savings, lower operating costs, and carbon savings.
“We have already made clear that the need to decarbonise our surface transport network is vital in helping to tackle the climate emergency,” said Tugwell.
“This is a step towards that. But there remains a huge amount of work to be done - including commitment to projects such as Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2.”
Read more in RAIL 940
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James Miller - 14/09/2021 16:04
I have looked at the affects of this short length of electrification in detail and I believe that a battery-electric train able to use 25 KVAC and with a range of 90 km, like the proposed Hitachi Regional Battery Train, would be able to cover all the routes through Wigan without any charging at the end of routes at Southport and Kirkby, I am sure other well-placed lengths of short electrification could have similar affects.
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Andrew Gwilt - 16/09/2021 02:22
About time that some of the railway lines in Northwest England to be electrified. Including Bolton-Wigan. Maybe electrify the East Lancashire Line to Blackburn Accrington and Burnley. As well electrify from Manchester Victoria to Stalybridge and Rochdale.
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David Pesterfield - 20/09/2021 13:45
The North West wins again. What about extending the presently taking place short extension, from Colton Junction to Church Fenton, through to East Leeds. This would allow Northern electric units from Ilkley and Skipton to Leeds to be extended through to York and provide a frequent all stations service. Freight and passenger operators would also benefit from electrification between Hare Park Junction and Wakefield Westgate via Wakefield Kirkgate, and also through to Leeds Station via Normanton. Intermodal workings to both Wakefield Europort and Freightliner at Stourton could then be electric hauled up the ECML. All these would also provide multiple electrified diversion routes between Doncaster and York.
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