Category:Harecastle diversion

The Harecastle diversion is a new section of double-track railway line two-and-a-half miles in length passing through Bathpool Park immediately to the south of Kidsgrove town centre. The diversion was opened in 1966, and was necessitated by the restricted clearances in the three consecutive Victorian railway tunnels, thus giving insufficient headroom for the overhead electricity supply cables then being installed as part of the first major modernisation of the West Coast Main Line and its feeders. After opening of the diversion the old alignment including the three original tunnels became disused.