• Electrification in the North

  • Map showing electrification of the NW

    Future plans

    We are electrifying key rail routes across the North to make journeys faster, quieter and more reliable. The investment will improve rail travel between Manchester, Liverpool, Preston and Blackpool and, in conjunction with the Northern Hub, will enable more trains with additional seats to run.

    The government has recently announced an extension of electrification to include the North Transpennine route between Manchester and Leeds. We will develop these plans in more detail over the coming months.

  • Which routes are being electrified?

    See the full map of the North West electrification plan.

    The benefits

    • Enhancement of approximately 300km of rail track
    • Vital support for the region’s long-term low-carbon economic growth
    • Improving links between some of the key cities in the North West
    • More trains with additional seats will be able to run, reducing overcrowding
    • Better connections to jobs, services, friends, family, education and leisure
    • A fully electrified route between Manchester Airport and Scotland, enabling quicker long distance services with more seats for passengers

    Exhibition road show

    We are committed to keeping stakeholders and the local community informed about our work to electrify the railway. A series of exhibitions have been held in Greater Manchester and Merseyside showcasing the plans along with our wider vision for rail improvements across the North - the Northern Hub.

    Further exhibitions will be held in advance of carrying out the work between Manchester Victoria, Preston, Blackpool and Leeds.

    Timeline


    Electrificaton milestones:

    1. Manchester to West Coast Main Line and Newton-le-Willows, December 2013
    2. Newton-le-Willows to Liverpool Lime Street; Hyton to Wigan, December 2014
    3. Preston to Blackpool, December 2015
    4. Manchester Victoria to Preston, December 2016