PLANS for a rail service that would take passengers from part of the St Helens borough directly to London have hit a hurdle.

As reported previously by the Star, FirstGroup submitted an application for a new open access rail service between Rochdale and London in May.

The service would revive a route that has not operated since 2000, and would stop at Manchester Victoria, Eccles, Newton-le-Willows, and Warrington Bank Quay, meaning that the service would also improve the local transport network.

Under its 'Lumo' subsidiary, FirstGroup submitted a formal application to the Office and Rail and Road (ORR), but it is understood that another train company has submitted a rival bid.

The bid is reported to run the same Rochdale to London route, but miss out Newton-le-Willows and Eccles, and add another stop near Birmingham.

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Aware of the benefits that this service would bring to Newton-le-Willows and the wider borough, Cllr for Newton-le-Willows East and cabinet member for transport , Seve Gomez-Aspron, has urged residents to make their feelings clear on the plans.

Cllr Gomez-Aspron, who is also deputy leader of St Helens Council, said: "Another train company has bid for the same route, but instead of stopping at Newton-le-Willows, it would cut them out and instead stop near Birmingham.

"We don’t want that. We want the LUMO Newton-le-Willows service! 

"So we need to show the people who decide that the LUMO service is supported here."

Cllr Gomez-Aspron encouraged residents to email the ORR to show support for the Newton rail plans, suggesting how it would reinstate a popular pre-privatisation route, and how it would be a popular service to London and also through Warrington and Manchester.

The councillor also encouraged commuters to the benefits of Newton station, which has become the busiest station in St Helens borough since its £19m makeover in 2019, thanks to its position on the busy Manchester to Liverpool railway line and its 450 space car park.

The email to contact regarding the plans is track.access@orr.gov.uk

Do you have a story? I cover the whole of the St Helens borough and surrounding areas - please email conal.cunningham@newsquest.co.uk