THE Government has announced the next steps of the development of a Northern Powerhouse Rail – heavily featuring Warrington.

It said a Northern Powerhouse Rail station in Warrington could support regeneration ambitions, providing a vital transport interchange in the town centre and making it easily accessible by boosting its links to neighbouring cities.   

Northern Powerhouse Rail between Manchester and Liverpool has been discussed today, Monday, following extensive engagement with local leaders and MPs.

Both expressed support for Northern Powerhouse Rail to serve Warrington Bank Quay and Manchester Airport, and for using broadly the previously proposed route between Liverpool and Manchester.

Taking account of local views, this will be the primary option for the next stage of development for the route between Liverpool and Manchester.

Warrington Borough Council’s Chief Executive, Professor Steven Broomhead MBE, said: “We warmly welcome today’s announcement which acknowledges the significant part Warrington has to play in taking Northern Powerhouse Rail plans forward. Today’s announcement isn’t just critical for Warrington, it is fundamental in helping to address regional and indeed national rail infrastructure limitations.

Chester and District Standard:

“Establishing a low-level station at Warrington Bank Quay will ensure that Warrington becomes better connected with the wider region and beyond, and is something we have been making the case for, for many years. There has been growing regional enthusiasm and consensus for making Warrington a focal point of connectivity for NPR and I’m pleased to see that those views and representations have been listened to.

“The plans put forward today also present significant regeneration opportunities around Bank Quay station. While we are working hard to seek further clarity on plans for the Warrington Western Link road scheme – which is an essential project which needs to be delivered to fully facilitate NPR – we are pleased to see from today’s announcement that Warrington is recognised as a critical location as part of rail plans for the region.”

The Government says it will continue to assess alternatives which meet the objectives of Northern Powerhouse Rail, in line with standard requirements for business case approvals.

Any scheme must be affordable and demonstrate value for money for the taxpayer, it said, while seeking to support the rail capacity needs of central Manchester and deliver faster journey times and better connectivity across the north.

Northern Powerhouse Rail is aimed to be a ‘catalyst for economic growth’ across the north of England, by transforming east-west transport links and better connecting people to work, education and business opportunities.

Once delivered, the Government says passengers will benefit from quicker, more frequent services, which could see journey times cut by around a third.

It will also mean passengers are able to ‘turn up and go’, knowing the next train will only be 10 to 15 minutes away.

Capacity could also be trebled between Liverpool and Leeds, offering 2,100 extra seats per hour in each direction.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “We are setting out the next steps for how we can transform east-west rail links in the north, helping to boost economic growth between key northern cities as part of our Network North plan.

"I thank local leaders and local MPs for sharing their views and facilitating constructive conversations.

“I have heard a clear consensus which means we can now take another crucial step towards delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail, part of this Government’s plan to boost rail capacity, deliver faster journey times and offer better connectivity across the North.”

Today's announcement follows strong support to retain a station at Manchester Airport, improving its connectivity for the millions of passengers who travel into and out of the airport each year.

With this plan, Liverpool and Warrington, as well as towns in the east of the Pennines, could benefit from direct services to Manchester Airport.

A further £35million has also been released allowing Network Rail to take forward early design and engineering work to unlock the next phase of Northern Powerhouse Rail between Liverpool and Leeds.

The Government will seek permission from Parliament to adapt the High Speed Rail (Crewe-Manchester) Bill to remove the scope that was only needed on HS2.

A further environmental assessment will be produced as part of this adaptation, with a view to reducing impacts where possible.

Lord McLoughlin, chair of Transport for the North, commented: “We welcome the progress of further engagement with northern political and business leaders.

“It is essential that any final route is place based and meets the ambitions of local leaders for their residents and businesses.

“Northern Powerhouse Rail is a key cornerstone to how we transform the north for generations to come.

“We look forward to working with the Government to realise our shared ambition for a rail network that the people and businesses of the north truly deserve.”