UK: Balfour Beatty Rail announced on November 11 that it had been awarded a contract by Network Rail to undertake electrification and minor signalling works under Phase 1 of the Northwest Triangle scheme to electrify routes around Liverpool and Manchester.
Due for completion by December 2013, Phase 1 covers the installation of 25 kV 50 Hz overhead electrification on 30 km of double track between Castlefield Junction in Manchester and Newton-le-Willows Junction, as well as the curve onto the West Coast Main Line at Lowton Junction.
Phase 2 of the programme will involve wiring the remaining 21 km of double track between Earlestown and Bootle Branch Junction, completing electrification between Manchester and Liverpool Lime Street. This is due to be energised by December 2014.
Phases 3 and 4 will see the remaining sections from Huyton to Wigan, Ordsall Lane Junction to Euxton Junction via Bolton, and finally Preston to Blackpool North electrified by December 2016.
