Warrington transport schemes get £33 million funding boost

Warrington Borough Council is set to benefit from a generous four-year transport funding settlement confirmed in today’s Comprehensive Spending Review.

Just over £33m has been allocated to the council, covering the period from 2026 to 2030 which will be used on a range of important transport schemes.

Over the next four years, the additional money will be used on a range of projects to support public transport, improving and maintaining our roads as well as delivering improvement to our walking and cycling routes across the town.

It is hoped that the funding package will also enable Warrington to continue progressing its vision for the “Bank Quay Gateway” as part of wider Northern Powerhouse rail improvements, which would include a new low-level station at Warrington Bank Quay, alongside more housing and business space in the area.

What could the funding be spent on?

Improved links to and from the town centre – the funding could support sustainable transport improvements to, from and within the town centre. This could include a number of active travel, bus and train enhancements, linked to the Bank Quay Gateway project and key highways into the town centre.

M6 junction 20 improvements project – an improvement scheme at M6 J20 could support better traffic capacity, speeding up journeys and improving safety.

Refurbishing Warrington bus interchange – a scheme to fully refurbish and improve Warrington’s bus interchange, which is served by all of Warrington’s bus services, could be delivered. Improvements could potentially include:

• replacement flooring
• improving passenger waiting facilities
• remodelling the stands and improving the lifts connecting to Golden Square Shopping Centre ensure full accessibility for all, including modern larger wheelchairs
• improved CCTV and safety features

Real time passenger information (RTPI) at bus shelters and on electronic devices - the additional funding would allow the full rollout of RTPI across the whole borough, using countdown screens and electronic timetable cases.

Cycling and walking improvements – the funding could support even more people to cycle and walk across Warrington. With a number of improvements made in recent years, the funding allows for further work across our local cycling and walking infrastructure plans. This could include resurfacing the whole of the Trans Pennine Trail and Sankey Valley Trail.

Future planning - importantly, the funding could allow for detailed studies to take place, to identify future transport improvement schemes, including looking at mass transit, bus priority and Manchester Ship Canal crossing studies.

Positive transport progress

The funding also supports the next Warrington Local Plan and Local Transport Plan, ensuring that the best possible future transport models and improvements for Warrington can be planned for.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Hans Mundry, said: “We welcome this four-year funding settlement, which gives us certainty to be able to plan effectively, making sure we can deliver on the best possible transport improvements across Warrington.

“We also welcome the Chancellor confirming today that she will set out in the near future the government’s plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail, and we look forward to continuing to work with our partners on the Liverpool - Manchester Railway Board on this exciting scheme.

“In the meantime, the funding confirmed today will help us to build on our positive transport progress in recent years, including the rollout of Warrington’s Own Buses’ 105-strong electric fleet of buses, the building of the new bus depot on Dallam Lane, and retaining cheaper, flat fares for bus passengers.

“We’ve also supported the successful launch of Warrington’s cycle hub in the town centre, are committed to making bus travel and cycling easier along Winwick Road without compromising access for motorists, and we’re also continuing to deliver on a number of sustainable travel schemes in the town centre.

“This funding will ultimately help Warrington to keep moving, making it easier for people to get in, out and around the entire borough.”