Cheshire West and Chester Council welcomes major investment in northern rail improvements
Scheme will enable local improvements across Cheshire
Cheshire West and Chester Council has welcomed the Government’s announcement of significant investment in railway improvements across northern England, marking a major step forward in delivering faster, more reliable connections for communities and businesses.
The plans that have been unveiled will see upgrades to key routes and infrastructure. For Cheshire West and Chester this means improved links between Chester and destinations across the North, supporting economic growth and creating new opportunities for residents and businesses.
The Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) programme seeks to improve connections between the northern cities, delivering a turn up and go railway for the Northern Growth Corridor: Liverpool, Manchester, Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield, and York; with regular services onward to Newcastle via Darlington and Durham, Hull, and Chester for North Wales connections. The government’s plans for NPR will bring connectivity benefits across the rest of the North and improve access to Manchester Airport.
Rose McArthur, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Director of Transport and Highways, and Chair of the Transport for the North Executive Board, said: “We are delighted with this news. The scheme will enable local improvements across the Cheshire and Warrington area, allowing faster connectivity between Chester and centres across the north of England.
“The government will also be looking at the potential to extend NPR services beyond Chester to North Wales, creating more opportunities for people and businesses. This announcement follows a lot of hard work regionally and nationally to bring these benefits to Chester.”
The investment is expected to deliver a range of benefits, including reduced journey times, enhanced capacity, and better integration with local transport networks. These improvements will help unlock the potential of Cheshire West’s strategic transport hubs, making it easier for people to travel for work, education, and leisure, while supporting the region’s ambition for sustainable growth.