Progress at Roby

Work on the subway at Roby is well under way.  As you can see, proper railings have been provided around the disused stairs (Left of the picture at the back, with the Heras sign attached).  Unfortunately the steps face "the wrong way" for the station's northern entrance, which is off to the right of the picture.  The plans also call for a shelter over the stairs.

In the foreground, the disused section of the subway has a new concrete roof and platform edge walls.

This subway route will need to be brought into use so that the existing footpath can be closed and dug out where it crosses the new trackbed.

Rainhill Skew Bridge Controversy

An article in the St Helens Reporter says that Network Rail are in trouble over the recent work on Stephenson's famous Skew Bridge at Rainhill.  The results have been described as "horrendously botched".

Network Rail have admitted the work did not comply with the approved drawings.  They have been granted permission to undertake further work, subject to the condition that a qualified stonemason is called in.

Additional Non-Passenger Lines

There's an interesting article about the electrification project in this month's Modern Railways.  The map shows that the Ince Moss Junction to Bamfurlong Junction spur will be electrified in Phase Two.  However, the detailed Scope of Works statement in Network Rail's "CP4 Delivery Plan - Enhancements Programme: statement of scope, outputs and milestones (June 2013 Update)"  does not include this line.


Modern Railways also confirms that the connection from Ashburys to Miles Platting Junction and to Baguely Fold Junction will be included in Phase Five.

Phase Two Masts Up

I received a message today reporting that masts have been erected between Huyton and Prescot.  I believe these are  the first ones to go up on the Phase Two lines.

Bridge Works for "Phase Five"

A Network Rail press release reports the beginning of work on electrification between Manchester and Stalybridge.  Initially, two road bridges are to close for reconstruction:

Osborne Street, Collyhurst: Closed 19 August - 16 February 2014.

Henrietta Street, Ashton-under-Lyne: Closed 2 September – 21 December 2013

Temporary footbridges will be provided to maintain pedestrian access.

Residents in Ashton-under-Lyne can find out more about the project at a drop in session between 16:30 and 20:00 on Tuesday 13 August at:

Village Hotel, Ashton Moss

Pamir Drive,
Ashton-under-Lyne,
Manchester,
OL7 0LY


I note that this release describes the electrification from Manchester Victoria and Guide Bridge to Stalybridge as Phase Five of the North West electrification programme.