West Coast Route Modernisation – Route 7 Stockport

The project involved the successful completion of life extension renewals to signalling and non-signalling infrastructure.

This was a key milestone in accommodating the new timetable for Virgin Trains services between London and Manchester in September 2004.

The project involved the conversion of the Victorian signalling system in Stockport to powered operation, including the renewal of 52 point ends and associated OLE.

In addition, significant drainage and other miscellaneous civil works were completed as part of the overall works programme.

The preparation works began in January 2004 and led to the start of a nine-week blockade in the summer of 2004 where all installation works were successfully completed and the signalling system commissioned into use, as planned.

Colas Rail Ltd brought the various stakeholders together as a single co-located project management design, planning and installation team to oversee and deliver all interface management through the life of the whole project.