Warrington Euro MP and prominent rail campaigner in the Town, Brian Simpson, is supporting an idea that would re-connect the town directly with Manchester Airport.  The Labour MEP has lobbied Arriva Trains Wales, to extend their North Wales to Manchester service which stops at Bank Quay to Manchester Airport, now that the Airport’s own railway station has been extended.

"We used to have a direct service via Central Station but this was transformed some years back to the Chat Moss route, leaving the town of Warrington without a direct Airport service.  Since then I have been trying hard to persuade Arriva Trains Wales that there could be some advantages in them extending their Manchester services to the Airport not only for Warrington, but for Cheshire and North Wales as a whole” said Mr Simpson.

Rail services to Manchester Airport have improved recently with the opening of a multi million pound third platform which was funded by the EU.  North Wales, Chester and Warrington are major areas not served by direct airport rail services and the Manchester Airport Group are keen to put this right.  The Warrington Guardian understands that Arriva Trains Wales are keen to serve Manchester Airport and are preparing a proposal to the Office of the Rail Regulator to do just that, starting in December of this year.  The Welsh Assembly is also very supportive and has added some considerable weight to Brian Simpson’s campaign.

“I am keen that Warrington gets back a direct rail route to Manchester Airport and I know in my discussions with various people that both Manchester Airport and the travelling public would also welcome this development.  The North Wales to Manchester via Bank Quay option gives us an ideal opportunity to not only reinstate the link for Warrington but to introduce a link for the rest of West Cheshire and North Wales”  said Mr Simpson who lives in Great Sankey. 

As yet, no formal proposal has been put forward to the Rail Regulator, but Mr Simpson would like the people of Warrington to write to Mr Bill Emrey at the ORR, supporting my proposal that would connect North Wales and Warrington to Manchester Airport as part of a campaign to ensure it actually happens and does not fail due to lack of local support.

Editor’s note:

ORR can be contacted at:

One Kemble Street, London, WC2 4AN    Tel: 0207 282 2037

Manchester Airport Contact:

Bob Longworth, Ground Transport, Manchester Airport , Olympic House, Manchester.  M90 1QX    Tel: 0161 489 3813