As part of a £78m investment, Network Rail are electrifying the railway line between Bolton and Wigan. Work is targeted to be completed, with electric trains running, during 2025.
As part of the scheme, the following major works will be undertaken:
- Platform extensions at Hindley, Westhoughton and Ince stations
- Reconstruction/rebuilding of 17 structures along the route
- Installation of overhead power line equipment
- Modifications to level crossings and signalling along the route.
Electrifying the route will complement the electrified railway line between Preston, Bolton and Manchester which was completed in 2019. It will also provide a further electrified route between Manchester and Preston
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August, September and October 2024
Closures of the railway line will mainly take place at weekends, however a nine-day closure will also take place from Saturday 31 August until Sunday 8 September 2024, together with a two-day closure on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 September 2024.
The railway line will also be closed between Preston and Bolton on Sunday 1 September 2024, and between Preston, Bolton and Manchester until 1300 on Sunday 8 September 2024.
View the Wigan Bolton Electrification brochure for more details
Ince station
During the temporary closure of Ince station, customers should use other stations in the area, such as Hindley, Wigan Wallgate and Wigan North Western, or local bus services.
Dates of the Works
Saturday 31 August, Monday 2 until Saturday 7 September, Saturday 14 September, Sunday 22 September, Sunday 6 October, Saturday 12 October, Sundays 20 and 27 October
Buses replace trains between:
- Wigan and Salford Crescent
Wigan and Bolton.
Trains will continue to run between:
- Manchester, Wigan and Southport - running via an alternative route between Manchester and Wigan
- Stalybridge, Manchester and Bolton
- Wigan and Headbolt Lane.
Friday 27 and Saturday 28 September
Buses replace trains between:
- Wigan and Salford Crescent
- Wigan and Bolton.
- Wigan Wallgate - Southport
Trains will continue to run between:
- Stalybridge, Manchester and Bolton
- Wigan and Headbolt Lane.
- Wigan North Western to Manchester Victoria.
Platforms at Manchester Piccadilly will be closed at different times, with trains using different platforms. There will also be alternative walking routes around the station.
The hourly Manchester Piccadilly to Alderley Edge service is suspended to accommodate re-platforming of other services. Customers travelling between Manchester Piccadilly and Alderley Edge should use the hourly Manchester Piccadilly to Crewe service.
There may be slight changes to arrival and departure times for other services, so please double-check your train times.
Click here to find out more about the roof improvements at Manchester Piccadilly.
Manchester Piccadilly roof improvements - 28 July – 17 August*
Platforms at Manchester Piccadilly will be closed at different times, with trains using different platforms. There will also be alternative walking routes around the station.
From Sunday 28 July, the following services have been suspended and customers should use alternative services:
- Hourly services between Manchester Piccadilly and Alderley Edge
- Peak-time extra services between Manchester Piccadilly and Marple
There may be slight changes to arrival and departure times for other services, so please double-check your train times.
Click here to find out more about the roof improvements at Manchester Piccadilly.
*Please note that dates are subject to change and that these services may continue to be impacted until October 2024. Please check back for the latest updates.
Ince station will be TEMPORARILY CLOSED from Sunday 2 June until late 2024 - no trains will stop at this station
This is due to major electrification upgrade works on the bridge adjacent to Ince station.
During this time, customers are advised to travel via Wigan Wallgate or Hindley stations. Tickets can be purchased via the Northern app, online or at alternative stations.
What work is being undertaken at Ince?
At Ince, the bridge at Ince Green Lane will be demolished and a new road bridge will be installed that provides the required clearance for the overhead electrical lines and making improvements to the platform to reduce crowding at peak-travel times.
Getting around when Ince station is closed
Alternative stations and options for when Ince is closed.
Rail replacement bus stop locations can be found on the “Onward Travel Poster” which is displayed at all stations. Additionally, at some stations, information can also be found on dedicated green rail replacement posters. All bus replacement bus stops can also be found on National Rail Enquiries Station Information pages.
Please purchase a ticket before boarding either by app or from the ticket vending machine at stations as Penalty Fares will continue to be in place during the line closures.
For Hindley station shuttle bus service
The Hindley to Westhoughton shuttle bus service will not run between Saturday 24 and Thursday 29 June 2023.
Hindley
Outside the station entrance, on Ladies Lane:
- Towards Bolton & Manchester - opposite the station entrance
- Towards Wigan - adjacent to the station entrance
Daisy Hill
At the bus stop on Leigh Road (B5235), opposite the car park entrance
Westhoughton
The bus stop on Church Street (B5236), opposite the stop near the station.
For all other replacement services
Wigan
The bus stops on Wallgate
Ince
The bus stops outside the shop on Ince Green Lane:
- Towards Bolton & Manchester - the stop opposite the shop
- Towards Wigan - the stop adjacent to the shop
Hindley
Outside the station entrance, on Ladies Lane:
- Towards Bolton & Manchester - opposite the station entrance
- Towards Wigan - adjacent to the station entrance
Please note that from Saturday 24 June to Thursday 29 June , rail replacement buses will instead call at the bus stops on Market Street, near the mini roundabout.
- Towards Bolton & Manchester – the bus stop by the nail & hair salons
- Towards Wigan – the bus stop by the estate agents
Daisy Hill
Stop on Leigh Road (B5235), by the car park entrance:
- Towards Bolton & Manchester - adjacent to the car park entrance
- Towards Wigan - at the bus stop opposite the car park entrance
Westhoughton
Bus stops on Church Street (B5236), by the shop:
- Towards Bolton & Manchester - the stop opposite the shop
- Towards Wigan - the stop adjacent to the shop
Bolton
The bus stop on Newport Street, adjacent to the station
Hag Fold
On Spa Road, under the bridge near the station entrance:
- Towards Manchester - at the bus stop
- Towards Wigan - adjacent to the station entrance
Atherton
On Upton Road, outside the station entrance:
- Towards Manchester - adjacent to the station entrance
- Towards Wigan - opposite the station entrance
Walkden
The bus stop on Walkden Road (A575), near the station entrance
Moorside
On Moorside Road, near the station entrance:
- Towards Manchester - adjacent to the station entrance
- Towards Wigan - opposite the station entrance, adjacent to Reginald Street
Swinton
The bus stops on Station Road (B5231):
- Towards Manchester - the stop adjacent to Cromwell Road
- Towards Wigan - the stop adjacent to the station entrance, adjacent to Boundary Road
Salford Crescent
The layby on University Road, by the roundabout
Manchester Victoria
Outside the station, on Hunts Bank
Deansgate
The bus stops outside the station on Whitworth Street - West (B6469):
- Towards Manchester - the stop opposite the station, by the canal
- Towards Wigan - the stop outside the station
Manchester Oxford Road
The bus stops outside the station on Whitworth Street - West (B6469):
- Towards Manchester - the stop opposite the station, by the canal
- Towards Wigan - the stop outside the station
Manchester Piccadilly
Outside the station, on Station Approach.
Accessibility
Should you require assistance, please contact Passenger Assist on 0800 138 556.
Northern App
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Northern App
Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.