Let the train take the strain

by David Skentelbery
THE vital role of improved rail links to Warrington, Chester and the rest of Cheshire if tourism and the visitor economy is to grow was stressed at a conference attended by more than 30 organisations.
Hosted jointly by the Cheshire and Warrington Enterprise Commission and Visit Chester and Cheshire, the event enabled Virgin Trains bosses to meet key local stakeholders.
Virgin Trains’ chief operating officer Chris Gibb highlighted major improvements that had been introduced in the frequency and quality of services between North Wales, Chester and the South of England.
He also underlined the importance of building on current partnerships with the business community, tourism interests and regional organisations in order to develop a sustainable rail service to meet local needs.
Cheshire and Warrington Enterprise Commission managing director Aidan Manley said afterwards: “This has been a superb opportunity to review services and explore our needs and aspirations for a rail service that will help achieve our economic objectives going forward.”
The meeting heard that a joint short breaks promotion campaign to promote new train-links to Cheshire, which ran from May to September 2009, delivered an economic impact of £17.9 million and reached 12 million people. The target for this year is to exploit these links and further boost the Chester and Cheshire visitor economy.
Visit Chester and Cheshire chief executive Chris Brown said: “The success we’ve achieved to date working with Virgin Trains illustrates how effective partnership working can deliver massive economic benefits to a region.”
Pictured: Hotel chief Stuart Hunter, Virgin Trains’ Chris Gibb, train driver Gary Ormiston and Visit Chester and Cheshire’s Chris Brown.