Better rail journeys arriving in 2018 The Great North Rail Project between Preston and Blackpool 12 January 2018 Nine weeks into our transformation As we approach the halfway point of our extended closure between Preston and Blackpool, we bring you some of the key figures, as well as the latest news and photographs from the project. To date we have delivered: 11,530 metres of track renewed 7,628 metres of drainage installed 11,400 metres of new trough routes 821 foundations installed route-wide 790 steel structures installed
Cracking on at Kirkham On Monday 29 January, the railway between Preston and Blackpool South will reopen as planned meaning passengers will be able to travel into Blackpool by train again. Replacement bus services will continue to run between Preston and Blackpool North until 25 March when the bulk of our upgrade is completed. Work continues at pace in the Kirkham area to get the tracks, signalling and station ready for trains running. Photo: New signals installed in Kirkham. A new modern signalling system is being installed along both lines into Blackpool. New digital signals will be controlled from Network Rail s operating centre in Manchester helping to make rail journeys more reliable.
Photo: New electrification structures take shape in Kirkham. Photo: Team Orange installing overhead structures by night. With the introduction of a new signalling system, we re upgrading the railway power supply which will help to minimise delays to passengers. An uninterrupted power supply unit has been installed in Kirkham this week which will provide power to the route s signalling equipment.
Photo: A new electrical power supply unit installed in Kirkham. Work to build a bigger and better station is progressing well, with platforms taking shape and foundations in place for the new footbridge and lift shaft. Photo: Foundations rise from platform 2 for a new footbridge and lift shaft. In addition to a new third platform at Kirkham & Wesham, Team Orange are also rebuilding platforms 1 and 2 to accommodate a new track alignment.
Photo: Brickwork on platform 1 at Kirkham & Wesham station Transforming Blackpool North Team Orange continue to work day and night at Blackpool North as the new platforms are backfilled and a base layer installed for the new surfaces. Photo: A view from the station offices showing activity at Blackpool North.
Photo: A view across the new track layout into Blackpool North station. Great North Rail Project on track despite Manchester-Preston electrification challenges Poor ground conditions mean more time is needed to complete Manchester-Preston upgrade Additional work planned for weekends to avoid disrupting weekday commuters Overall Great North Rail Project train travel transformation remains on course for 2020 Poor ground conditions have delayed completion of Network Rail s Manchester-Preston line upgrade - but the wider Great North Rail Project (GNRP) remains on course for 2020. Unexpected running sand and hard rock in the vicinity of old
uncharted shallow mine workings have slowed progress to electrify the line between Manchester and Preston via Bolton. The line was due to be ready for new electric trains by May 2018 but it is now set to be ready in the summer, in advance of the rail industry s December timetable change. In a conscious bid to avoid disrupting weekday commuters, Network Rail has agreed with train companies to carry out its additional work at weekends, meaning buses replace trains. The 25-mile Manchester-Preston line upgrade is part of the GNRP to transform train travel for customers by bringing more frequent, faster and more reliable trains by 2020. The work Network Rail still needs to do on the Manchester-Preston scheme is the installation of foundations for steel columns to carry overhead power lines at Chorley, Bolton and Salford. Due to poor ground conditions at these locations, three out of every 10 foundations have been unsuccessful at the first attempt. This had added time to the programme. Some 1,700 (89%) foundations are already in place at Preston, Chorley, Horwich and Bolton. But there are 200 still to put in. Another challenge, which slowed the scheme s progress, was the need to carry out emergency repairs to Moses Gate railway bridge in Bolton last year after it was damaged by a burst water main. We are urging passengers who travel on this route at weekends to check before they travel at nationalrail.co.uk Keeping our neighbours informed Regular drop-in sessions will continue until we ve completed the project. Here are the details of upcoming events: Wednesday 24 January 16.00-19.00 Mill Street, Kirkham, PR4 2AN Tuesday 30 January 16.00-19.00 Poulton Civic Centre, Breck Road, Poulton-le-Fylde, FY6 7PU Monday 5 February 16.00-19.00 St Walburges Church Hall, Weston Street, Preston PR2 2QE Tuesday 13 February 14.00-18.00 Blackpool North station, Talbot Road, Blackpool, FY1 2AB For a full list of drop-in events between Preston and Blackpool, please visit www.networkrail.co.uk/blackpool