Golf club access bridge set to be demolished and replaced as part of £78m rail electrification

A railway bridge which leads to a golf club is set to be pulled down and replaced as part of a £78m rail electrification project. Network Rail have applied to reconstruct the existing Masons access rail bridge at Old Lane, leading to Westhoughton Golf Club.

Replacing the bridge is required as part of the Wigan to Bolton electrification project which is a £78m rail enhancement programme to electrify 13 miles of track between Lostock Junction and Wigan North Western station. In documents lodged with Bolton Council, Network Rail, said: “It is proposed to remove the existing steel bridge and construct a replacement bridge and parapets.

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“The new bridge will be constructed of pre-cast reinforced concrete, incorporating 1.8-metre-high parapets. The bridge carries a public footpath, the alignment of which must be maintained.

“The bridge also connects Westhoughton Golf Club, around 70 metres to the south of the railway line. For these reasons, the bridge cannot reasonably be located elsewhere.”

Network Rail said the electrification would lead to lower operational costs of trains, lower carbon emissions per passenger mile compared to diesel trains and zero emissions, increased passenger capacity, improved reliability and improved comfort for passengers.

The bridge is also close to a new housing development with new build homes around 130 metres to the south east. In documents submitted with the plans no reference was made as to whether during the work continuous access to the golf club would be maintained.

Under planning regulations Bolton Council will issue a decision on the plans within eight weeks.

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