Greater Manchester train line forced to close after £100k cable stolen

There will be disruption to trains to and from Bolton this weekend after high-voltage cable worth £100,000 was stolen. Engineers discovered that the cable was missing when they arrived to carry out work in the Lostock area of Bolton over the Christmas period.

It comes as part of work to electrify the line between Wigan and Bolton, which began in 2022. The cable provides power to the overhead line equipment, which in turn powers electric trains across the tracks.

The theft was carried out just one week before the line was due to be energised for the first time, on New Year’s Day.

It means that the line between Chorley and Bolton will have be closed for the majority of this Sunday (29 December). TransPennine Express services between Manchester and Glasgow and Edinbrugh will not be able to call at Bolton until after 6pm. Local services will also be affected.

Rail bosses say they are working with police to 'find and prosecute those responsible.' Christian Irwin, Network Rail’s capital delivery director, apologised for the disruption. “I am very sorry to passengers who will be impacted by the rail closure between Chorley and Bolton on Sunday,” he said.

“It is extremely frustrating for this crime to take place so close to the energisation of the line. Our teams have been working very hard to deliver this upgrade for passengers over several years including over this Christmas period.

“We are working closely with the British Transport Police to provide additional security measures and to find and prosecute those accountable.”

Passengers have been advised to check the National Rail website or with their train operator to find out what the closure means for their journey.

Network Rail also warned passengers to take extra care as