A CEREMONIAL sod-cutting for the new Warrington West Railway Station in Chapelford takes place on Monday.

Council leader Terry O'Neill is set to perform the cutting of the £19 million station which is set to have direct links to Manchester, Liverpool and Warrington.

Work will then take place on building the station which could be open next year.

Cllr O’Neill said: “The Warrington West station forms part of a significant investment in the infrastructure of our borough as we continue to attract new businesses.

“Warrington is a great place to live and in which to do business and we continue to work hard to make sure that the town and its people thrive.”

The Department for Transport confirmed last year it was putting in £4.2million of government funding from the New Stations Fund. The remainder of the £19million funding comes from Warrington Borough Council, Local Growth Funding from the Warrington and Cheshire LEP and developer contributions.

According to the council, the new station will include:

• High quality station building which echoes local history with a building design based on an 'aircraft hangar’.

• A staffed station to improve customer service and promote safety and security.

• High quality, easy access for cyclists and pedestrian station users.

• Safe, secure and convenient cycle parking.

• Good interchange with current and future bus services.

• Space for drop off and taxis outside the station building.

• A large, secure pay and display car park with CCTV and lighting.

Station operators Northern are obligated to serve the station with one semi-fast train and two stopping trains per hour, linking west Warrington directly with Liverpool, Warrington Town Centre, Birchwood and Manchester.

A spokesman for the council said: "The council is still committed to keeping Sankey for Penketh station open after Warrington West becomes operational in 2019. We will continue to lobby the rail industry for a better level of service than the base franchise obligation of a reduced peak hour only service."