Rail minister to visit Warrington to talk investment

Following a meeting with Warrington South MP Andy Carter, Rail Minister Huw Merriman MP has agreed to visit the town to discuss the future of investment in the area.

This follows a  question asked by Mr Carter in the House of Commons during Prime Minister's Questions this week, Wednesday.

Andy Carter MP asked the Prime Minister about the benefits Warrington may see in the future following £12billion being made available for east-west railways (Image: Andy Carter MP)

The Conservative MP asked Rishi Sunak whether Warrington would benefit from the £12billion funding for high-speed rail lines between Manchester and Liverpool in the wake of the northern leg of HS2 being scrapped.

Responding to the Warrington South MP's question, the Prime Minister said: "I thank [Andy Carter] for his continued campaign to improve rail services in Warrington.

"He is right: we will be investing £12billion to better connect Manchester and Liverpool.
 
“That would allow for the delivery of Northern Powerhouse Rail, exactly as previously planned, including high-speed lines, which would provide better rail connections for the people living in northern towns such as Warrington.

"I know that he will be discussing this further when he meets the Rail Minister.”

After this meeting with the Rail Minister, it was decided that Huw Merriman MP would make a visit to Warrington to discuss the future of investment in the town's rail network.

Following his question in PMQs, Andy Carter has secured a visit to Warrington from the Rail Minister (Image: Parliament TV)

Andy Carter MP said: "I’m pleased with the comments from the Prime Minister.

"Faster links between Warrington to Manchester and Warrington to Liverpool are really important, not just because of the prospect of travel times being reduced and more capacity into the great cities surrounding us and to Warrington itself.
 
“The opportunity for a hub station at Warrington Bank Quay linking the West Coast Mainline and Northern Powerhouse Rail will unlock huge business growth opportunities in the town centre, on former industrial land surrounding the station and elsewhere in the immediate vicinity.
 
“Towns which benefit from significant rail investment see more, higher paying jobs over the long term.

"I know ministers are keen to engage with local leaders and I look forward to welcoming the Rail Minister to Warrington South very soon."