Train plan unveiled (From Warrington Guardian)

Train plan unveiled

CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a massive rail terminal at the former Parkside Colliery site, near Winwick, could be moving closer to becoming reality.

Central Railway wants to build a £10 billion freight rail line from Liverpool to Lille, in France, that will carry lorries on trains between industrial areas in the UK.

It may also create hundreds of jobs.

The Parkside terminal is central to these proposals and the company is hoping to get approval from the Government over the next few weeks.

A spokesman for Central Railway told the Guardian: "We believe we are close to a decision. We feel we have dealt with all the issues that have come up and we are looking forward to an announcement."

However groups, such as the Save Newton and Winwick Campaign and Winwick Parish Council, have consistently objected to an industrial development on the site on environmental grounds.

Les Higgins, clerk of Winwick Parish Council, added: "The parish council feels it would generate more traffic in an already congested area."

A spokesman for the Department of Transport said that Ministers were considering the proposals and would respond in the near future.