A RAILWAY line at Fiddlers Ferry could be used for the proposed HS3 scheme.

The power station, off Widnes Road, will cease production and close by March 31.

Warrington Borough Council has been in discussions with site owner Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) about the future of the land.

SSE engaged in a consultation with the 158 members of staff at the site following the closure announcement last year.

It says, while the majority will leave the company on enhanced redundancy terms, a number of employees will have a continuing role in managing the decommissioning of the station.

The energy firm also stated it is offering redeployment opportunities within its group.

A spokesman said the schedule for the decommissioning of Fiddlers Ferry is yet to be confirmed and will be decided following the station’s closure.

“However, demolition activity would only take place following the full decommissioning of the site, which is expected to take up to two years,” he added.

“No decision has been made on the long-term future of the site. Following the closure of the station, a decommissioning programme will commence, which is expected to take a number of years to complete.”

The proposed high-speed railway known as High Speed North, or HS3, aims to transform rail services and make it easier to travel between the region’s towns and cities via new and upgraded lines.

Council chief executive Steven Broomhead confirmed the Labour-run authority continues to have regular discussions with SSE over the land but says the demolition will be complicated.

“There’s a railway line which, potentially, could be the railway line for HS3, Northern Powerhouse Rail – we want to make sure that railway line remains in place,” he said.

“At the moment, the site is designated as an employment site, that is what the dialogue continues to be about.

“But it could be a site for producing energy, it has got a connection to the National Grid.

“There may be other options in the future around certain aspects of the site being used for housing.”

READ > £6million house with helicopter hangar and indoor pool and cinema screen

Furthermore, Mr Broomhead said the location has been highlighted as a potential site for the new hospital.

The Town Hall boss stated all options will be considered, although ‘not all will be feasible’.

Mr Broomhead said, due to the timescales for decommissioning and demolition work, it is expected to be six to seven years ‘before we can start to think about anything new on that site’.

And he revealed plans to ensure the legacy of the power station lives on, with SSE agreeing to donate some artefacts and materials to Warrington Museum and Art Gallery.

“We want to make sure there is a legacy preserved and they have been very good with working with our museum on that,” he said.