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Engineering Work Schedule

The following information is mainly from the March 2016 issue of Network Rail's CP5 Enhancements Delivery Plan. This update was issued by Network Rail to take account of the "Hendy Review" (Replanning Network Rail’s investment programme: a report from Sir Peter Hendy to the Transport Secretary - Nov 2015).

  • Civils enabling works include structure clearance, parapet works and access points.
  • Main works include masts and foundations, overhead wires, signalling, power distribution, power control and protection, and telecommunications.

In general, this page only records future schedule items - Once an individual milestone has been passed it is removed from this page.

Phase 1 - Manchester (Castlefield Junction) to WCML (Newton-le-Willows / Lowton Junction)

Phase one was scheduled to be completed in December 2013, and it did become operational then. Further works were required, before a formal completion date of August 2014.

Phase 2 - Liverpool (Edge Hill) to Earlestown, Huyton to Wigan, and Ordsall Lane Junction to Manchester Victoria

Main works complete was scheduled for December 2014 ("Available for December 2014 timetable change") This target was missed, but electric trains were able to run throughout by the end of April 2015, and regular passenger workings commenced in May. I believe the autotransformer feed system, which was not ready then, has now been completed.
(For Roby and Huyton additional tracks - See below.)

Phase 3 - Preston to Blackpool North

To be completed in 2018. Main Works on site have not started, but most if not all of the enabling works have been completed.

Phase 4 - Manchester to Preston (Ordsall Lane / Deal Street Junctions to Euxton Junction)

Main works completion - December 2017.

Phase 5 Part One - Manchester Victoria to Stalybridge and Ashburys West Junction to Philips Park West Junction / Baguley Fold Junction

This is officially the Trans Pennine Electrification (West) project, although I note that Network Rail have sometimes referred to it as Phase 5 of the North West electrification programme.

Victoria to Stalybridge (only) scheduled for completion by December 2017.
The connecting lines to Ashburys have been put back to CP6 (2019-2024).

Phase 5 Part Two - Guide Bridge to Stalybridge

In service - December 2022.

Wigan to Bolton (Wigan Station Junction to Lostock Junction)

Announced in December 2013, this additional route for electrification is targeted for service in CP6, i.e. 2019-2024:
Planning completed - March 2017.
In service - To be determined.

Oxenholme to Windermere

Planning completed - March 2017.
In service - To be determined.

Liverpool Lime Street Remodelling

In service - December 2018.

Ordsall Chord

Work is under way.

In service - December 2017.

Huyton and Roby Additional Tracks

This comes in two stages: The first provided three tracks through Huyton and Roby stations between a remodelled Huyton Junction and a new Roby junction. This was commissioned during a blockade in July 2014.

Stage two, which will add a fourth track, requires the acquisition of land to fit the fourth track between Huyton and Huyton Junction and consequently had to wait for the public enquiry and TWA authority process to complete. TWA approval has been granted and this stage is scheduled to be in service in December 2017.