COMMUTERS in Penketh, Great Sankey and Whittle Hall, Warrington are celebrating after further improvement works on Sankey for Penketh train station started this week – helping secure the future of the station.
Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Warrington South Nick Bent uses the station every day to get to work in Manchester, where he runs innovative education charity The Tutor Trust. He teamed up with local Labour Councillors to put pressure on Northern Rail and Network Rail to address commuter concerns.
Now, just a few weeks on from a tough-talking meeting with the rail companies improvement works are well underway.
The main issues being worked on are are resurfacing the entrance road to the car park, filling in pot holes in the car park and new safety rails on the footpaths to the platforms.
This is latest series of investments in Sankey for Penketh station – last year, Labour campaigners persuaded the rail firms to install a proper PA system and a ‘harrington hump’ to make it easier for people to get on and off trains.
Now Nick and Labour Councillors are pressing for further improvements, including real-time electronic displays on both platforms; better lighting around the station and car park; total resurfacing of the car park; better markings on parking bays; tidying up the verges and gardens; and the introduction of a Sunday train service from Sankey for Penketh station to all stations between Manchester and Liverpool.
The number of passengers using Sankey for Penketh has gone up significantly in recent years and Labour is fully committed to keeping the station open with a decent level of service as well as ensuring that the long-promised new ‘Warrington West’ station at Chapelford is built and opened.
Nick said: “Labour Councillors and I have lobbied hard on behalf of residents for these improvements to Sankey for Penketh station and to secure its future, and we will now explore setting up a ‘Friends of the Station’ group.”
Pictured (L-R) Cllr David Keane, Penketh & Cuerdley; Cllr Dan Price, Great Sankey North; Nick Bent; Cllr Jean Carter, Great Sankey South; Cllr Andy Heaver, Great Sankey North
Future of Sankey for Penketh station secured
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
