The Southport–Wigan rail closure will halt trains for five days from 27 July while Network Rail renews nearly one kilometre of ageing track near Parbold.

Southport–Wigan Rail Closure Starts for Track Renewal
Photo: Network Rail

Replacement buses during Southport–Wigan rail closure

Network Rail’s official notice⁠ confirms that no trains will operate between Southport and Wigan Wallgate from Monday 27 July through Friday 31 July. Manchester–Southport trains will terminate at Wigan, and normal services are scheduled to resume on Saturday 1 August.

Northern’s disruption update⁠ lists two replacement-bus patterns. An hourly service will call only at Meols Cop, Burscough Bridge, Parbold and Wigan, while a bus serving every station between Southport and Wigan will run every two hours.

Rail tickets will also be accepted on Merseyrail services between Southport and Liverpool and on Northern routes linking Liverpool with Manchester, Preston with Ormskirk, and Preston with Manchester. These alternatives give passengers additional options during the five-day closure.

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Nearly one kilometre of track will be replaced

Engineering teams will replace sections of rail, sleepers and ballast, together with the formation—the supporting layers beneath the track. Network Rail says improved drainage should make the renewed section smoother and more resilient, while reducing delays and speed restrictions caused by the ageing infrastructure.

Derek Davies, Network Rail project manager, said:

“Our teams will be replacing nearly a kilometre of track, sleepers and the ‘formation’ below the railway, as the current track is nearing the end of its life. Once renewed, the track will benefit from improved drainage and offer a more resilient, smoother, and more reliable railway.”

Network Rail scheduled the closure during the school holiday period, when passenger demand is lower. It also plans to complete several activities within the same closure, avoiding the need for two or three separate weekends of disruption.

Passengers should allow extra time and check the detailed engineering-work notice on National Rail⁠ before travelling.

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