COMMUTERS can expect two years of rail misery while the Preston to Manchester line - which runs through Bolton - is electrified.

Network Rail has announced its plans to electrify the 175-year-old line, which means First Transpennine Express trains will be diverted, with changes to services to Bolton, Chorley, Horwich Parkway and Lostock.

The delays are part of a £400 million scheme to improve journey times, which starts with work on the line at Chorley on Sunday, December 8, and tie in with government plans for high speed rail — known as HS2.

A spokesman from Network Rail said: “As part of our £400 million programme to electrify key routes in the North West, we will complete the electrification of the route between Manchester and Preston via Bolton and Chorley in 2016.

“The work required to electrify the 175-year-old route will result in some disruption to services on the line from 2014, while we install the electrical equipment to allow electric trains to operate.

“We will also take the opportunity to improve line speeds on the route which will result in faster journeys.

“Network Rail is working closely with Train operators and key stakeholders to minimise the amount of disruption caused while we electrify the route.

“On completion the electrified railway will deliver more capacity with faster journey times.”

During the work, diesel services calling at Chorley on the route between Manchester, Cumbria and Scotland will be diverted via Wigan. When the work has been finished, diesel trains will not be able to use it the line.

The Bolton News reported yesterday that Station Road in Blackrod would be closed for four months next year while electrification works take place.