Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Arpley Chord will be used to connect the Northern Powerhouse Rail core route to the West Coast Mainline; and how much budget has been allocated to upgrade that line.

Work on the NPR scheme between Liverpool and the Parish of Millington and Rostherne is currently at strategic scheme development stage. This work is being carried out in line with the favoured calling points set out in the WMS of 25 March, to include new platforms at Warrington Bank Quay. We are keen to understand Warrington Borough Council’s priorities and to ensure views on the priorities and any alternatives are understood.