Readers react to possibility of St Helens Central to Junction link

A connection off the old St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway, the route provided shuttle trains between the two stations for more than a hundred years.

Believing that the revival of the railway line, which closed to passengers in 1965, could complement the town's regeneration plans, St Helens Council stated it is looking at conducting feasibility work that could bring the historic line back into use.

This got the town talking about the possibility of a reopened link and what it would mean for residents.

While it could be a costly project, a renewed rail link could provide town centre commuters with direct trains to places like Manchester and Warrington, as well as improved connections to locations further away.

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It could also go someway to decarbonising the local economy by getting more cars off the road, and as St Helens Council believe, complement regeneration plans by attracting more foot traffic to the town centre.

The potential to revive the historic line remains a possibility as much of the route is protected and has been left untouched since its closure six decades ago.

An old train on the St Helens to Runcorn Gap Railway line (Image: Richard Mercer)

What do readers think of a re-opened railway line from St Helens Central to Junction?

David Brown said: "I said it all along, [it] should never have been shut in the first place, now there are new builds going up it makes more sense in and around that area."

Dom Swift said: "This is something that was one of those short-sighted decisions of the past that will cost millions in infrastructure to replace. It would certainly be a boost and I can see a lot of people using the service if it ever came back."

Mark Murphy said: "It would be a good way of getting to Manchester hopefully the council will do something good."

Mark Hesketh said "Absolutely should happen. Not just Manchester, but could also link the town to all points south. Should work with Warrington council to then try and get a link to Crewe to benefit both towns with HS2."

Angela Knowles wrote: "Opting to go to Liverpool over Manchester because there isn’t a link, or sometimes going from Central to Wigan to go to Manchester as [this is] easier than finding a bus or cheaper than getting a taxi to the Junction - makes sense to reopen his connecting line."

Deb Gavin wrote: "I'd love this to happen. A lot of people have been saying reopening this small stretch of line would have a big impact and I agree."

John Riley said that a reopened line has "a lot of potential" in being a diversionary route, while John Pennington said that the route could provide a new station at the back of Saints' ground.

READ > Can the St Helens Central to Junction railway line be revived?

A map of the old St Helens to Runcorn Gap line (Image: Alan Young)

However, not all readers were in favour of the idea.

Mark Twist said: "Personally I am not keen on the idea, for obvious reasons. I think it would not be economically viable. The [2013 projection of] 28 million it would cost would probably be better put to better use making the town more economic and attract more businesses. The links to St Helens are plenty one more would not make a difference to help the now ghost town."

Railway worker Gaynor Beddow said the project would be a "massive and costly job", while Steven Smith said it would "not be worth the effort, time and money".

A volunteer at the St Helens Litter Heroes group suggested that as an alternative, the disused line could be used as green walking and cycling route, with electric bike hire at each station.

The volunteer said: "There are many examples all over the UK of old railway lines being converted to walking/cycle trails and they are hugely popular. This would have the added benefit of linking two stations that are still in use."

A reopened line between St Helens Central to Junction could provide much better railway access to commuters (Image: St Helens Star)