Written question asked by Lord Hoyle (Labour) on Wednesday, 11 March 2015, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 25 March 2015. It was answered by Baroness Kramer (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 19 March 2015 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Railways: Lancashire

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government why Network Rail took the decision to close Rawlinson Lane, Chorley Road and Grimeford Lane in Adlington, Lancashire, at the same time to accommodate electrification of the Manchester to Preston via Bolton and Chorley line.

Answer: Network Rail took the decision to close the roads simultaneously in order to coordinate with the railway closures. These kinds of closures are planned up to two years in advance. In this area Network Rail had five bridges to rebuild and two possession slots; the intention was to split the bridge rebuilding over two years, doing two in 2014 and three in 2015. Due to environmental impacts identified at Grimeford Lane last year that particular bridge was rescheduled from the original plan to be completed this year.

Secondary information