Haigh Woodland Railway plans back on track thanks to council investment

Plans to restore a much-loved woodland railway at one of Wigan Borough’s most popular visitor attractions are firmly back on track.

Wigan Council will invest £380k that will see the miniature railway return to its former glory at Haigh Woodland Park.

The railway – which takes a 1.6k route through the upper plantation woodlands at Haigh and stops at two stations – was a favourite for families but has not been in use since 2020.

Thanks to dedicated volunteers, work to restore it is already underway and the commitment from Wigan Council for it to return will prove to be just the ticket as the entire woodland park undergoes a multi-million-pound makeover.

Councillor Chris Ready, cabinet portfolio holder for communities and neighbourhoods, said: “The transformation of Haigh Hall and wider woodland park has seen exciting progress in the last 12 months and this is another milestone for the future of the site.

“Many people across the borough will have fond memories of the Haigh Woodland Railway going back to when it first set off in 1986.

“It is part of the park’s heritage but we’re delighted it’s now going to be a key part of its future.”

In recent years, the Haigh Woodland Railway Supporters’ Association (HWRSA) has been leading the work to restore the 15-inch gauge railway.

It is hoped that the new service – earmarked to be operational by 2027 – will operate at weekends, bank holidays and school holidays, transporting families around the woodland park.

Jordan Leeds, HWRSA lead volunteer, said: “Haigh has wonderful and proud links to railways.

“Whether that’s the locomotives that transported goods along the old estate mineral lines or the steam engines that were owned and built by the Lord Crawford Estate.

“It’s fitting therefore, from a heritage perspective, that we celebrate that connection with the re-introduction of this much-loved attraction.”

Alongside the £31.5m transformation of Haigh Hall, which is being supported by £20m in Levelling Up funding, other ongoing projects at Haigh Woodland Park include the Amphitheatre for a Tree sculpture garden funded by Arts Council England, and the restoration of the Plantation Gates with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Coun Ready added: “There is plenty of hard work ahead but we’re very much going full-steam ahead with these plans and would like to recognise the efforts and support of staff and volunteers who have made this possible.”