A HIGH speed rail link to the north west could bring a ‘major economic boost’ to the town.

That was the message from transport minister Theresa Villiers MP who was in the borough to officially unveil the redeveloped Warrington Central railway station.

Warrington South MP David Mowat has been pushing for the proposed new rail network to come to Warrington.

Although the minister would not promise where a station could be located - with arguments one could be placed in the town, she added her support to the scheme.

Calling on people from the town to add their voices to the consultation Mrs Villiers said: “High speed rail to the north west is going to be a major economic boost.

“I’m sure we can mitigate the impact [on affected villages along the route] and I think it’s important that as well the people sent to benefit from it make there voices heard as well.”

The Chipping Barnet MP praised the improved Central station set up as the 150th station to undergo a makeover from the National Stations Improvement Programme (NSIP).

“They’re relatively small scale projects but projects that can really make a difference to the way people feel about the railway,” she added.

More than £400,000 in funding from NSIP as well as £300,000 from Warrington Borough Council saw the station get a new entrance and refurbished interior Vernon Barker, managing director of First TransPennine Express, said: “We are delighted that Warrington Central is the 150th station to be completed under the NSIP programme which has improved station access on our network and at stations around the country.

"Customers using Warrington Central will really benefit from these improvements. Not only does the station now look a lot more attractive but it is fully accessible for all and the customer facilities are excellent. The works will definitely complement the previous advancements such as the waiting areas, customer amenities and lift installations.”

For more on this story, see Thursday's Warrington Guardian.