Key Points
- The £100m railway electrification project between Wigan and Bolton is officially complete, with overhead power lines now in service.
- The line covers a 6.5-mile stretch and is part of a major Department for Transport initiative to improve rail services in Greater Manchester.
- The project included installing 21km of power lines, erecting 414 stanchions, reconstructing six road bridges and one footbridge, modifying 17 bridges and two level crossings, and extending platforms at Hindley, Westhoughton, and Ince stations.
- The first test run of an electric train between Wigan and Bolton took place in early June 2025, before passenger service began late July 2025.
- The electrification allows for quieter, cleaner, and more reliable electric trains, replacing diesel services and improving air quality for local communities.
- The platform extensions enable longer trains with more capacity to serve growing demand in the North West.
- This scheme forms part of the wider Manchester and North West Transformation Programme, including upgrades at Salford Crescent and other locations.
- Project delivery involved Network Rail, Kier, SPL Powerlines, and train operator Northern.
- The project is seen as a boost for regional connectivity and sustainability, aligning with ongoing upgrades in the region.
In an historic milestone for rail transport in the North West, the £100m electrification scheme between Wigan and Bolton has been completed, with overhead power lines officially entering into service at the end of July 2025. The modernised route will mean more sustainable, quieter, and more reliable train journeys for thousands of daily passengers, marking a significant leap toward greener travel for the Greater Manchester region.
What Does the Completion of the Wigan-Bolton Electrification Project Involve?
According to Rail Technology Magazine, the Wigan-Bolton electrification saw the installation of 21km of new overhead power lines and the erection of 414 supporting stanchions, as well as the complete reconstruction of six road bridges and one footbridge. Major modifications were made to 17 bridges and two level crossings across the route. Extensive signalling and track upgrades were also completed, with platform extensions carried out at Hindley, Westhoughton, and Ince stations.
Network Rail project manager Kathryn Berry, quoted by Yahoo News and supported by Rail Technology Magazine, commented:
“It’s a very proud moment to see this newly electrified railway line enter into service after many years of hard work to modify bridges, level crossings and stations to make way for the overhead power lines. I’d like to thank our supply chain, local partners, train operators and lineside neighbours for their patience during construction. Now complete, train services will be able to run in electric mode, providing quieter and more reliable journeys while improving air quality for communities along the 6.5-mile route.”
Who Was Involved in Delivering the Project?
As reported by Network Rail Media Centre, this £100m scheme was funded by the Department for Transport, with delivery handled by Network Rail and main contractor Kier, who undertook all the civil and engineering modifications required. SPL Powerlines was responsible for the installation of the electrification equipment and overhead lines.
Robin Ellis, operations manager at Kier Transportation, told the Network Rail Media Centre:
"Seeing the first electric train run between Wigan and Bolton is a proud moment for our teams. From reconstructing bridges and installing the foundations for the overhead line system, to extending platforms at key stations – this is a fantastic milestone for all involved. This project not only modernises the railway today, but also supports a more resilient, efficient, and environmentally conscious network for the future."
Lee Farmer, project delivery director at SPL Powerlines, echoed the significance, stating via Yahoo News:
"We’re proud to have completed the overhead electrification between Wigan and Bolton, marking a huge step towards more sustainable and efficient rail transport. The project brings long-term benefits for both passengers and local communities."
How Will the New Electrified Line Benefit Passengers and Local Communities?
Northern's regional director Craig Harrop, speaking to Yahoo News, called the completion,
“great news for our customers and the communities we serve. This investment will support faster, more reliable, and more sustainable journeys in the future, helping us deliver a better, greener railway for the North. I'd like to thank customers for their patience whilst this upgrade work has been underway.”
The move to electrified rail is expected to:
- Allow longer, more spacious trains with improved service frequency.
- Support further investments at the Wigan Springs Branch maintenance facility for electric trains, securing greater operational flexibility.
- Remove diesel trains from regular service on this route, significantly improving air quality and reducing noise pollution in neighbouring communities.
- Future-proof the railway for coming growth in passenger demand and shifting toward carbon-neutral operations.
Why Was Electrification Deemed Necessary for This Section?
Network Rail, via its project information page, emphasised that electrifying this section between Lostock Junction and Wigan North Western station was crucial for improving the reliability, sustainability, and capacity of services serving the North West. This work complements the previously completed electrification of the line between Preston, Bolton and Manchester in 2019 and forms part of a wider transformation of Manchester’s rail infrastructure.
"By electrifying nearly 13 miles of infrastructure and lengthening platforms, we can replace diesel trains with electric ones in the future. Electric trains are better for the environment, and quieter for both passengers and those living close to the railway. Electrification will boost economic growth in Wigan and Bolton by improving travel reliability and reducing railway operation and maintenance costs." (Network Rail)
How Was the Project Delivered and What Were the Challenges?
Construction required frequent night-time and weekend closures, often disrupting residents and requiring extensive communications and mitigation measures—from advance notice to noise control efforts.
Communities living alongside the railway endured significant disturbance, especially during bridge reconstructions and the installation of large-scale overhead power structures. Despite these challenges, local patience and support proved invaluable to the timely completion of the works, as acknowledged by both Network Rail and local authorities.
What’s Next for the Wigan-Bolton Route and Greater Manchester Railways?
The Wigan-Bolton electrification is a key component of the wider Manchester and North West Transformation Programme, coordinated by the Department for Transport. It sits alongside other investments such as platform expansions at Salford Crescent and capacity improvements at major depots, collectively aiming to ensure the North West enjoys a modern, high-capacity, and eco-friendly railway for decades.
Railway Pro magazine identifies the ongoing benefit of reduced pollution and improved commuter experience, while construction publisher Construction Buzz details the extended platforms’ ability to handle longer, future-proofed rolling stock for the region’s growing population.
Final Statements From Stakeholders
- Kathryn Berry, Network Rail: “It’s a very proud moment to see this newly electrified railway line enter into service after many years of hard work…”
- Robin Ellis, Kier: “This project not only modernises the railway today, but also supports a more resilient, efficient, and environmentally conscious network for the future.”
- Steve McWhan, SPL Powerlines: “The Wigan to Bolton electrification project is a major step forward in modernising our rail infrastructure…providing greener, more reliable rail journeys by replacing diesel trains with electric ones, reducing emissions and improving efficiency.”
- Craig Harrop, Northern: “The electrification is great news for our customers and the communities we serve…”
With the completion of this ambitious £100m project, Wigan and Bolton are now firmly connected by a cleaner, greener, and more modern electrified railway—reinforcing a new era of transport for Greater Manchester and beyond.