31.10.16
Maynard confirms Halton Curve will reopen at end of 2018
The Halton Curve is expected to reopen when timetables change in December 2018, rail minister Paul Maynard confirmed today.
The 1.5-mile line from Frodsham Junction to Halton Junction has been essentially closed since 1975, with one northbound service a week remaining to avoid the costs of a full closure.
The line was due to reopen by 2018 after receiving a £10.4m funding as part of the Liverpool City Region Local Growth Deal.
Answering a written question from Derek Twigg, the Labour MP for Halton, Maynard said that work on the scheme is expected to begin in June 2017 and be completed by spring 2018.
This will allow services between Liverpool and Chester to run along the line in December 2018, subject to agreement with operators and staff training.
The line will allow communities in north-west Cheshire and north Wales to have better links to John Lennon Airport.
Merseytravel is managing the development and delivery of the scheme via Network Rail, on behalf of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
(Image c. Wikipedia Creative Commons via Firstclassx)
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