Leaders in Cheshire and Warrington have welcomed the government’s announcement of long-term investment in rail infrastructure across the north of England, with Warrington set to become a major transport hub on the Northern Powerhouse Rail network. The proposed 20-year Northern Powerhouse Rail programme will combine new railway lines with upgraded infrastructure, aiming to transform travel across the region and support economic growth.
Central to the plans is a new low-level station at Warrington Bank Quay, which will serve as the only hub on the Liverpool to Manchester route. This will place Warrington at the centre of the northern rail network, connecting Liverpool, Manchester, Manchester Airport, Chester, North Wales, and the West Coast Main Line. The project is expected to deliver four to six trains per hour between Liverpool and Manchester Airport, significantly reducing journey times while providing seamless integration between new and existing services. Long-term investment is also planned for the public and business infrastructure surrounding Bank Quay.
Further details on how the programme will impact the wider sub-region, including connectivity for Macclesfield and Crewe, are expected in the coming weeks. With capacity on the West Coast Mainline north of Handsacre nearing limits, additional work between Birmingham and Manchester is crucial to ensure travellers can move freely between Northern Powerhouse Rail and the wider UK network, including the West Midlands, South East, North Wales, and Ireland.
Local leaders emphasise the importance of moving the project forward quickly so residents, businesses, and visitors can benefit from more frequent, faster rail connections. The establishment of Cheshire and Warrington as a Combined Authority, with greater powers over transport investment, positions the region to align national funding with local priorities over the next decade.
Cllr Hans Mundry, Leader of Warrington Borough Council, said: “This announcement from the government is very exciting news for Cheshire and Warrington; putting the region at the heart of Northern Powerhouse Rail. Improving our regional transport infrastructure is a key aspect of our ambition to be the most sustainable, healthy, inclusive, and growing economy in the UK. And this investment in Warrington as a key transport hub will bring huge opportunities, not to mention social, and environmental benefits to the whole region for generations to come.
“We are also pleased that the scheme will enable local connectivity improvements across the Cheshire and Warrington area, enabling faster connectivity between Chester and Crewe to centres across the north of England. The new Combined Authority will put Cheshire and Warrington in a position to play a leading role in creating prosperity across the region, the north of England and the country. Embracing devolution will give us a seat at the table to secure more investment from Westminster, including at our other major transport hubs such as Crewe and Chester.”
