Rail Minister sees first-hand Bank Quay expansion opportunities

MINISTER of State for Rail, Huw Merriman MP visited Warrington recently to see first-hand the Bank Quay expansion opportunities.

The minister joined Warrington South MP Andy Carter and local politicians in Warrington on a visit to discuss the future of rail investment in the town.

The Minister was invited by the Warrington South MP, following his question to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and their recent discussions in Parliament about £12 billion funding allocated to delivering new and improved East-West high-speed rail connections as part of the Government’s Network North plans.

Mr Carter welcomed the Rail Minister to Warrington Bank Quay to look at the potential for building a new low-level platform at the station, creating a hub station on the West Coast Main Line. The Minister also saw the former Arpley station site before heading to meet with Warrington Councillors and officers at the Town Hall to discuss the opportunities rail investment would bring to the town centre, improving access and creating jobs locally.

Speaking after the Minister’s visit Mr Carter said:“Less than two weeks ago I asked the PM to confirm that Warrington would be seeing the benefit of new investment into improving East-West rail connections across the North. The Prime Minister assured me that the £ 12 billion being put into better links between Manchester and Liverpool will allow for the delivery of Northern Powerhouse Rail, including new high-speed lines.

“So I was pleased to welcome the Rail Minister to Warrington to meet with local leaders to discuss the opportunities that Network North will bring our town, including the potential for a hub station at Warrington Bank Quay. Improved rail links between Manchester and Liverpool, as well as across the North and Midlands as a whole, can bring a huge boost for growth and jobs in our town centre so I’m eager to see these plans progress.
“We had a very constructive conversation, Council Officers talked the Minister through an excellent overview of how transport links would benefit the town. I’m very grateful to Huw Merriman for taking the time to visit Warrington and I look forward to continued engagement with the Department for Transport over the coming months.”