Campaigners want Warrington Bank Quay and Warrington Central included in high speed link (From This Is Cheshire)

Campaigners want Warrington Bank Quay and Warrington Central included in high speed link

1:50pm Monday 15th March 2010 in

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CAMPAIGNERS in Warrington are set to battle to have the town included in the country’s new high-speed rail links.

Neither Bank Quay or Central stations were included in plans released last week to see 200mph trains travelling the country.

It would cut journey times between Manchester and London to just over an hour.

But Warrington has missed out and councillors have vowed to lobby Government to be included.

Executive board member for the environment and transport Clr Alan Litton added: “A previous study by Network Rail published last summer identified a new high speed train station for Warrington.

“We are disappointed that this is missing from the Government’s proposals. As part of the formal consultation process in the autumn, we will be campaigning hard to ensure we don’t lose out.”

Clr Ian Marks, council leader, has long campaigned for Warrington to be part of the extension.

He wrote to Lord Adonis, transport secretary, last year and says the plans will be good for the economy.

He added: “Plans to make Britain a high speed rail country are good news for the north economically, socially and environmentally too. High speed rail has an important role to play in the development of our region.

“This country has lagged behind others for far too long.”

Plans announced last week will see Manchester and Liverpool included in rail extensions from London via Birmingham.