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Rail disruption after £100k of cable stolen

Network Rail People in orange high vis jackets and trousers stand along a railways line. Four yellow cherry pickers are raised up to the railways power lines, people in the baskets are working on the lines.Network Rail
The cable that was stolen provides power to the overhead line equipment, which in turn powers electric trains across the tracks.

Power cables worth £100,000 have been stolen from a railway line over Christmas.

Network Rail warned passengers to expect disruption between Chorley and Bolton and services to Preston to be affected on Sunday following the theft.

The firm said it would have to close the line so it could replace the cables and test the system.

Network Rail said it is working with the police to find the culprits.

'Extremely frustrating'

Since 2022, Network Rail has been electrifying the line between Wigan and Bolton.

The stolen cable provided power to the overhead line equipment, which in turn powered electric trains across the tracks.

"I am very sorry to passengers who will be impacted by the rail closure," Christian Irwin, Network Rail's capital delivery director, said.

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

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