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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Trains will continue to run on both the Atherton and Westhoughton routes between Wigan and Manchester, but they will not stop at Hindley.
A bus service, running a one-way circular route of Hindley-Daisy Hill-Westhoughton-Hindley, will connect with trains to and from Wigan, Bolton and Manchester.
Buses replace trains between:
- Wigan, Atherton and Manchester Victoria
- Wigan, Westhoughton and Bolton
- Wigan Wallgate, Rainford and Kirkby
The Hindley to Westhoughton shuttle bus service will not run between Saturday 24 and Thursday 29 June 2023.
Trains will continue to run between:
- Southport, Wigan Wallgate and Manchester , with services diverted by an alternative route between Wigan Wallgate and Manchester Oxford Road (Monday – Thursday)/Wigan Wallgate and Manchester Victoria (Saturday & Sunday). Trains will not call at stations between Wigan Wallgate and Deansgate/Wigan Wallgate and Manchester Victoria.
- Bolton, Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge
- Wigan North Western and Manchester Victoria (peak-times only)
- Manchester Victoria, Rochdale, Todmorden and Blackburn
- Manchester Victoria, Rochdale, Todmorden, Brighouse and Leeds
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.