Network Rail announces jobs boost for Wigan with £46m train depot scheme

Wigan is getting a new £46m train depot as part of the Great North Rail Project.

Network Rail plans to adapt a freight yard at Springs Branch railway sidings in Ince-in-Makerfield to house and maintain 24 electric and eight diesel trains.

The project, expected to create almost 20 jobs, will include the installation of new overhead line equipment to power the electric trains.

It will also deliver staff accommodation and train washing and fuelling facilities.

Springs Branch, according to Network Rail, provides easy access to the region’s electrified rail infrastructure.

Once work is complete in December 2019, the state-of-the-art depot will give rail operator Northern more flexibility for moving its trains across the North overnight, in preparation for services the next morning.

Lauren Jones, Network Rail project manager, said: “At Springs Branch sidings, we’re investing £46m to enhance an existing site by the West Coast main line by building brand new train maintenance facilities for Northern.

“This brand new depot that forms part of the Great North Rail Project not only delivers a jobs boost for Greater Manchester, but the facilities it will provide will help transform passenger journeys across the North.”

The Great North Rail Project will see Network Rail undertake a multi-billion pound package of improvements on rail infrastructure throughout the North by 2022.

Northern engineering director Ben Ackroyd commented: “The new maintenance depot is a key part of our wider modernisation programme.

“By 2020 we will have retired all Pacers, refurbished our entire fleet and, of course, will have introduced our brand new electric and diesel trains.”

He continued: “We will need state-of-the-art facilities to look after these trains and Springs Branch is a key part of this.

“We look forward to working with Network Rail on this project which is clear evidence, not only of partnership railway in action, but also of the economic benefit the railway brings to the region.”