NEW plans for Warrington West railway station have been announced and residents are being invited to have their say as part of a public consultation.

The council has tweaked plans for the project due to cost increases and major changes to train timetables across the north, which mean the new station will have better services.

A semi-fast service and two stopping trains will link up with the station, which is proposed for land to the south of Chapelford, providing better travel links to Liverpool and Manchester.

Cllr Hans Mundry, executive board member for transport, said: “This should be a major boost for west Warrington.

“The new station is planned to take pressure off the road network in west Warrington with the expansion of Omega and Lingley Mere sites. We don’t plan to close Sankey for Penketh station as it will retain a peak hour stopping service.

“I would encourage as many people as possible to take part in consultation by completing the online questionnaire or by attending one of the planned exhibition events.”

Responses to an earlier consultation revealed passengers were concerned that Sankey for Penketh station would be forced to close.

But council documents say the station will not shut and will maintain a peak hour service only.

Plans for Warrington West station include three trains an hour, links with future bus services and a 250-space pay and display car park with CCTV.

The design will be based on an aircraft hangar to evoke the area's history.

A date has not yet been set for completion of the project.

Residents near the proposed site will receive leaflets and people are invited to discuss the plans at exhibitions at Sainsburys Chapelford on February 18 from 10am to 4pm, at Honiton Square on February 21 from 10am to 4pm, at Sankey for Penketh Station on February 22 between 7am and 2.30pm and another meeting at Sainsburys Chapelford on February 23 between 2pm and 7pm.

To respond to the consultation visit warrington.gov.uk/warringtonwest or email comments to wws@warrington.gov.uk by March 6.