RHODRI CLARK reviews improvements to the city’s rail links
Chester gained two new hourly services, to Liverpool Lime Street and to Leeds, with the May timetable change. This was the first significant increase for decades in the number of destinations served by through trains from Chester, which gained a connection to Liverpool South Parkway – close to Liverpool John Lennon Airport – for the first time.
Rail travel from Runcorn to nearby Frodsham, Helsby and Chester is now feasible, after Network Rail completed a £14.5 million refurbishment of the Halton Curve. The project was funded through the UK Government’s Local Growth Funding and was originally forecast to cost £17.95 million.
Service frequency from Frodsham and Helsby to Chester has doubled, albeit without clockface half-hourly departures. Transport for Wales (TfW) Rail Services’ hourly Liverpool – Chester trains now call there, in addition to TfW’s established hourly workings from Manchester to the North Wales coast.
Several of Northern’s Leeds – Chester trains also call at Frodsham and some at Helsby. This service improves access from Chester and North Wales to the West Coast main line at Warrington Bank Quay. Earlestown and Newton-le-Willows a…
