THERE will be no trains running through Bolton for a nine-day period later this year as the final railway infrastructure work is completed.

It comes as Network Rail bosses confirmed a completion date for the long overdue electrification and upgrade work in the town.

Engineers said that mid-week overnight upgrades will continue until November 4, including nine-days - from August 25 to September 2 - when buses will replace trains.

Work will finally be completed on Sunday, November 4, when weekend and mid-week work will come to an end.

The Preston-Manchester work overran by two years and the delay has been cited by Northern trains bosses as a central reason for the recent spate of rail delays and cancellations.

Network Rail's route managing director Martin Frobisher said: “I’m sorry for the further short-term disruption that this work will cause, but don’t lose sight of the long-term improvements which will be delivered. In future, electric-powered, greener, faster, more frequent, more spacious, more reliable trains will become the norm through the Bolton corridor.

“We recognise the May timetable change resulted in poorer service for many customers than it should have done. We are working together with our train company partners to resolve current issues as soon as possible.”

In early January, Network Rail announced delays to its previous plans for a May 2018 deadline for the Preston-Manchester upgrade.

This was caused by unforeseen poor ground conditions hampering engineers’ progress installing foundations for masts to carrying overhead power lines.

Delays to progress were compounded by the collapse of Carillion, the lead contractor for the scheme, although Network Rail has now made another firm, Amey, its principal contractor.

The Manchester-Bolton-Preston upgrade is one of the largest projects of its kind, involving over 25 miles of track.

It has involved the widening and rebuilding of Farnworth Tunnel, remodelling of tracks and platforms through Chorley and Bolton stations, the renewal of 13.8km of track, replacement of 93 signals, and the laying of 236km of cables.