TRAINS running between Manchester and Scotland could begin to stop in Bolton again now electrification has ended.
Services between Manchester Airport and Edinburgh & Glasgow began to operate on a different route when work began because the trains could not reach speeds of 100mph.
However, Network Rail – which manages the nation's railways and was responsible for the electrification project – says it is aiming to have trains travelling at these speeds by the next timetable change on Sunday, May 19.
Andrew Morgan, principal sponsor at Network Rail, said: “We have successfully completed the Manchester to Preston electrification project, which means electric trains are now running along this route.
“The current timetable assumes train speeds of 75mph. We are currently working through all the technical analysis in preparation for a speed increase to 100mph in May.”
Trains first stopped running along the route to Preston via Bolton in 2013, when TransPennine Express (TPE), which operates this service, started to use the then-newly electrified railway line through Wigan instead.
This created a problems for commuters, who often used the service to travel between Bolton and Manchester at peak times.
However, TPE has since confirmed that it is looking to once again use the railway line which runs through Bolton.
A spokesman the train operator said: “We are currently awaiting confirmation that trains can operate on the Bolton corridor at 100mph.
"Once that has been received, and we have been able to make the necessary adjustments to our timetable, we will begin operating our Anglo-Scottish services on the electrified route via Bolton.”
While these services could be imminently about the return to the area, it is not clear whether they will again stop at Bolton Station.
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