Preston station reopens after major signalling upgrade

Preston station has reopened this morning following a major signalling upgrade, with Network Rail thanking passengers for their patience during the work.

Since New Year’s Day, specialist teams have been replacing 1960s-era equipment at the north end of the station, installing three new signalling gantries, five signal posts, and seven LED signal heads. The upgrades are designed to make signals clearer for train drivers, improving the smooth running of services through the station, while also reducing future maintenance closures compared with the older bulb-based systems.

Network Rail and its principal contractor, VolkerRail, completed the work during a rare full 100-hour closure of Preston station. The project is part of a wider programme of journey-enhancing upgrades along the West Coast Main Line over the festive period, which saw nearly £200 million invested between London and Cumbria. This forms part of a longer-term £400 million investment planned over the next four years.

Elsewhere on the network, a major railway junction between Northampton and Milton Keynes reopened today following a £26 million track renewal. Meanwhile, work continues on the replacement of a 130-metre railway bridge near Penrith, with rail replacement buses operating between Oxenholme and Carlisle until 15 January.

Christian Irwin OBE, Network Rail North West and Central region Capital Delivery director, said:

“We are investing hundreds of millions of pounds to improve future journeys on the West Coast Main Line and these latest projects will make real differences to passenger and freight journeys. We would like to thank passengers for their patience during our work in Preston and also across the wider network this festive season. With our major bridge renewal in Cumbria continuing until 15 January, we’d like to remind people to check before they travel while we make the railway fit for the future."

Image: Network Rail