THE case for improving a train line passing through Neston was put in Parliament by Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Andrew Miller.

During Parliamentary questions to the Secretary of State for Wales Cheryl Gillan on Wednesday, June 27, Mr Miller took the opportunity to put the case for the Wrexham to Bidston rail line.

He argued that the area’s many commuters would benefit from a scheme to electrify the Borderlands line.

The Wirral’s other railway routes are provided with frequent Merseyrail electric trains while the Borderlands line has a relatively infrequent diesel operated service.

There have been proposals to electrify some or all of the line and incorporate it into the Wirral Line of the Merseyrail network, allowing through services to Birkenhead and Liverpool with new stations at Deeside Industrial Park, Woodchurch and Beechwood.

The most recent study, conducted by Network Rail in 2008, estimated the cost of electrifying the line at £207million. Merseytravel announced that cheaper overhead-line electrification would be considered instead.

Mr Miller said: “Will the minister put her support behind the campaign to improve and upgrade the Wrexham to Bidston line, as that would help to service that travel-to-work area and create the right environment?”

The Minister said: “The hon. Gentleman and I used to serve on the Select Committee on Science and Technology together, and I know that he is a constant champion for improving the travel arrangements in and around his area of the country. I have always supported the Wrexham to Bidston line, but I have always prioritised the electrification of the valleys lines and of course that unfinished business of getting the electrification down to Swansea.

“The electrification of the Wrexham to Bidston line would be close behind that.”

After the exchange Andrew Miller said: “The improvement of the Wrexham to Bidston line is a long standing saga and I hope the Minister will live up to her promise that this is a priority project.

“The electrification of this line will make a huge difference for people commuting from the Neston area.

“This investment is long overdue and I hope to see some action from Network Rail very soon.”