North West Electrification Programme (NWEP)

Between 2015 and 2019, VolkerRail led the biggest upgrade to the Preston to Blackpool route since the 1800s. Through the North West Electrification Programme (NWEP), one of the UK's largest rail enhancement programmes of its time, the railway was transformed and electric passenger services were introduced for the first time. Working alongside Network Rail and delivery partners, our teams upgraded the railway through major track, signalling, station and electrification works, including the installation of more than 200km of overhead line equipment and over 1,100 overhead line structures. One of the defining moments of the programme came in 2018 when the first electric passenger train departed Blackpool North station, connecting the Fylde Coast to the electric railway network for the first time. The programme helped create a greener, quieter and more reliable railway, providing the infrastructure needed for more frequent services and future growth across the North West. Delivered on time and within budget, NWEP demonstrated how large scale rail enhancement programmes can transform the railway while supporting a more sustainable future.