Passengers to benefit from railway drainage improvements

Passenger journeys are being made more reliable with railway drainage upgrade work underway.

A £1.3m Great North Rail Project investment will see a new pumping station installed in Timperley and 300 metres of new track drainage installed to help alleviate flooding on the line between Stockport and Altrincham.

To complete the work a series of weekend railway closures are needed to allow engineers to replace drainage systems that run alongside the tracks.

On the following Sundays buses will replace Northern train services on the Mid- Cheshire Line between Manchester, Altrincham, Northwich, Mouldsworth and Chester:

• 28 February 2021
• 7, 14 and 21 March 2021

The drainage improvements will be carried out from Monday 15 February until Sunday 22 March 2021.

During the rail closures, work will also be undertaken to upgrade signalling equipment between Cuddington and Northwich stations.

Joel Cotterell, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: “Installing a new pumping station and better drainage in Timperley will help us to better manage flooding on this section of railway during heavy downpours.

“The upgrades which are being delivered as part of the Great North Rail Project will mean fewer delays for passengers and more reliable journeys between Manchester and Chester.”

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “The past few weeks have shown exactly how badly the railway can be affected by flooding. The new equipment being installed by Network Rail will deliver a more resilient railway that will result in more reliable and punctual journeys for our customers. While the work is carried out I’d urge our customers to plan ahead, allow extra time for journeys and to check carefully before travelling.”

Network Rail has written to residents to let them know about the work.

Passengers are reminded to continue following government Covid safety advice when using public transport.

People can get more advice and plan their journeys at www.nationalrail.co.uk or with their train operator.