Rail chiefs pledge station facelift

RAIL bosses have pledged improvements to a run-down Warrington station following a face-to-face meeting with a senior councillor.
Cllr Dan Price, chairman of Warrington Borough Council’s local economy committee met representatives of Northern Rail to discuss the poor condition of Sankey for Penketh station.
He was representing local residents and Labour councillors representing the Penketh, Great Sankey and Whittle Hall areas.
Cllr Price (pictured) said had “frank and honest” talks with the rail chiefs who admitted the station ”required improving.”
They went further and agreed to investigate how the Manchester-bound platform could incorporate a raised section to aid passengers onto the train from what is a very low platform – a so-called “Harrington Hump”.
Other improvements will include: a fully resurfaced access road and car park, clearly marked parking bays, better lighting and the introduction of bike lock-ups.
Northern Rail also agreed to explore increasing the size of the shelter on the Manchester-bound platform.
Crucially, the introduction of a Sunday train service at Sankey, before the opening of the new Warrington West station at Chapelford, was also discussed.
Cllr Price said: “We were very clear with our demands to Northern Rail, and I’m very happy that they have agreed to much needed maintenance and improvements.
“However recent fining of residents parking their cars on the access road to the station must stop.
“Northern Rail are going to come back within the next two weeks with suggestions about a way forward, but I’m not going to accept a large tax-subsidised company fining local residents who are using and supporting local businesses.”