Station reopening up for discussion
THE POTENTIAL re-opening of a disused train station in Widnes has been given further impetus after it was mentioned in Halton’s draft Local Plan.
The views of residents and businesses are being sought on land allocations for the area over the next two decades.
As part of the proposals concerning the transport network and connectivity, the proposed re-opening of Ditton station is mentioned, after being shut for more than 20 years.
In the past, Halton Borough Council said the station being used once more has ‘always been a long-term ambition’ as it would help support ‘more balanced and sustainable growth by improving access for people’.
The draft plan – which can be commented on until Thursday, February 15 – said: “The re-opening of new stations and the creation of public transport hubs could enable more people to use the public transport network and, therefore, reduce the need for people to travel by private vehicle.
“Whilst improvements to the rail network could lead to improved services within the borough and the wider area.
“Ditton station in Widnes, on the London to Liverpool, was closed to passenger services in 1994.
“There is an opportunity for the reopening of this station, particularly in light of proposed developments in the area.”
The plan raises the possibility of a park and ride scheme one day operating at Ditton, while the potential for a ‘South Widnes’ facility and one in Beechwood in Runcorn are also mentioned.
The prospect of Ditton station reopening has been backed by Halton MP Derek Twigg.
In a response to the Local Plan, he said: “I support the need for Ditton station to be re-opened especially with the planned re-opening of the Halton Curve, which I have long campaigned for.”
Last year, Mr Twigg asked Transport Secretary Chris Grayling in Parliament if he would ‘look at the importance’ of the station’s re-opening and speak to the Liverpool City Region metro mayor about how this could be brought about ‘much more quickly’.
Metro mayor Steve Rotheram told the Weekly News last year that potential plans to re-open Ditton could be assessed through services running on the upgraded Halton Curve line.
The station opened in 1871 but the line itself was operated by the St Helens And Runcorn Gap Railway in July 1852 as an extension to a network which gave access to Garston Docks.
Between 1960 and 1961 the station was rebuilt in a modern style to accommodate the electrification of the Crewe to Liverpool line.
The station was eventually left with an hourly electric service between Crewe and Liverpool and by the late 1980s most trains on the service had started to omit Ditton from their scheduled stops.
By the early 1990s only a couple of trains called at the station at peak times. It was known as Ditton Junction until 1993, and closed a year later.
Another possible line re-opening in Widnes is the Shell Green route between Ditton and Warrington.
The document said: “The re-opening of the Shell Green route (Ditton–Warrington) would allow improved opportunities for travel between Widnes and Warrington and could form part of the Trans-Pennine linkage.
“Additional rail tracks between Hough Green and Widnes North stations would provide a passing route allowing additional stops without prejudicing running speeds on the Trans-Pennine route.” ●