ONGOING rail closures through Bolton could now affect weekday journeys as well as weekends.

Northern Rail says that heavily-delayed electrification work being carried out by Network Rail will continue ‘for the foreseeable future’, meaning trains are unable to run at weekends and also some weekdays.

The project was due to complete last December, but old mine workings, running sand and varying layers of rock have significantly hampered the installation of hundreds of steel columns needed to carry the power cables for the introduction of electric trains.

Liam Sumpter, regional director for Northern, said: “This vital upgrade work will mean changes for our customers travelling across the region. Trains will be replaced with buses on many routes during weekends, and we are asking all customers to plan carefully.

“It’s really disappointing that the work has been delayed and that our customers will have to deal with further closures, but the engineering project – when complete – will pave the way for an improved service for all thanks to our brand new and refurbished trains which will use the line.”

The delays will affect journeys in and out of Manchester to and from destinations including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Oxenholme, Penrith, Lancaster, Preston, Liverpool, Wigan, Chorley and Bolton.

Andy Morgan, senior sponsor at Network Rail, said: “The poor ground conditions meant three out of every 10 foundations were unsuccessful at the first attempt which unfortunately added time to the programme.

“At the moment, progress is going well. Recently, foundations and overhead wiring have been installed which will allow electric trains run in the future from Manchester to Preston and improve customer journeys.”