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Ref: 57/06 16 February 2006
Cheshire County Council Approves £1.5 Million Investment In Chester Rail Station
Cheshire County Council has today (Thursday) announced a £1.5 million investment in the renovation of Chester’s railway station.
Confirmed at the annual budget council meeting the funding will provide a large part of the £6 million cost of the Chester Rail gateway Project.
The project is the single largest to be approved in the County this year.
Work will begin on the Grade II listed building in the autumn and should be completed for the start of 2008 for Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture.
Executive Member for Highways and Transportation John Burke said: “This investment will help deliver a station which provides a fitting gateway to the city.
“It will become the catalyst for attracting investment from Arriva Trains Wales and Network Rail in new concourse buildings and the renovation of the historic station.”
Work will include the remodelling of Station Square to improve the image to visitors of the city as well as creating a better transport interchange.
Funding will also contribute to improving facilities for passengers throughout the station and the renovation of the buildings.
The scheme has been developed over the last three years by eight partners; Cheshire County Council, Chester City Council, Arriva Trains Wales, Network Rail, Railway Heritage Trust, Northwest Development Agency, Virgin Trains and Merseytravel.
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Note To Editors: For further information please contact County Councillor Burke on 01244 679657 or Transport Co-ordinator Mike Ross on 01244 603660 or view our transport and road pages at www.cheshire.gov.uk/chesterrailgateway/ |