A CONSULTATION on a 30-year transport plan for the north – which could feature the Western Link as a 'priority' – is coming to Warrington next week.

Senior Transport for the North representatives will be visiting the town as part of a dedicated session to outline proposals set out in its draft strategic transport plan.

The drop-in event will be held at the Pyramid & Parr Hall in the Cultural Quarter next Thursday, from 4pm to 7pm.

It will give residents the chance to ask questions and give feedback to the team.

Council leader Cllr Terry O'Neill said: "I am delighted that Transport for the North have chosen to come to Warrington.

"This is undoubtedly recognition of our borough's strategic location and economic strength, but we still need as many people, businesses and other organisations as possible to play an active part in the consultation.

"The ratio of transport infrastructure funding in London compared to the north is something like 6:1 in favour of the capital.

"Events like this one are an opportunity to reinforce the message that Warrington, together with the rest of the north, needs real investment in its transport infrastructure to secure long-term benefits and opportunities for residents and businesses alike."

The 30-year plan, which was released as a draft on January 16, outlines how transport connections across the north 'need to be transformed by 2050 to drive growth and close the economic gap between the north and the rest of England'.

It identifies seven strategic development corridors, including the West & Wales corridor, where the 'priorities' could include the Western Link.

The proposed £212.74 million bypass will be built if the Government approves the council’s funding bid.

It would link the A56 Chester Road with the A57 Sankey Way in Great Sankey.

A decision is due to be made before the summer.

Information published in the draft strategic transport plan also states that new analysis shows that a service from Liverpool to Manchester Piccadilly, via Warrington and Manchester Airport, could take around 28 minutes, compared to the current fastest service of around 50 minutes between Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool.

In addition, a service could take people from Manchester Airport to Manchester Piccadilly in 10 minutes or less using the HS2 tunnel to the south of Manchester, with services running from Manchester Airport to Liverpool in around 15 minutes via Warrington.

Transport for the North’s public consultation runs until April 17.

A final version of the plan will be published later in the year and submitted to the Government for ministerial consideration.

For more information visit transportforthenorth.com/stp.