Halton Curve

The Halton Curve is a railway line in the borough of Halton, Cheshire. It runs from Frodsham Junction (north of Frodsham station) to Halton Junction (south of Runcorn station), providing a link from the North Wales Coast Line to the Liverpool branch of the West Coast Main Line. In early 2014, Merseytravel, in a briefing document, recommended that the line should be referred to as the Mersey Dee Link to counter the perception that "the project benefits fall to Halton and Halton alone".^[2]

The line can now be used only northbound because the southbound line and the associated points and diamond crossings at each end of the curve have been removed^[3] to permit higher speeds on the main line towards Crewe at the northern end and reduce maintenance costs, meaning that the line is rarely used. The journey from Chester to Runcorn in total is almost 14 miles in length, although the distance along the curve is only just over a mile and a half.

Current use of the line is limited, with few, irregular freight workings and one scheduled passenger train service, a parliamentary train, operated by Northern Rail. This replaced the former Liverpool to Llandudno and return summer Saturday train that used the curve up until September 1994.^[4] Regular passenger services over the line had previously ceased in May 1975, though it was often used as a diversionary route (when the WCML south of Weaver Junction was closed for engineering work) until the early 1990s.

A rail user group, the North Cheshire Rail User Group, supports and actively campaigns for an improved service at this station and for this railway line.^[5]

The curve is single track and owned and maintained by Network Rail. The crossover to the Halton Curve at Frodsham Junction has a speed restriction of 20 mph, this then increases to 40 mph before decreasing to 20 mph as the line converges with the 90 mph West Coast Mainline near Runcorn.

Frodsham Junction signalbox controls access from the Chester direction, whilst Halton Junction signalbox controls access at the Runcorn end.

Arriva Trains Wales and the North East Wales Integrated Transport Task Force have recently shown interest in upgrading the line, as a dual track could allow direct services from Liverpool Lime Street to stations on the North Wales Coast Line and also to South Wales via Wrexham and the Welsh Marches Line.^[6]

History

Whilst the line from Chester to Frodsham was built by the Birkenhead Joint Railway partnership, the Halton Curve was built entirely by the London and North Western Railway.

Services

Only one passenger service (i.e. Parliamentary train) operates on the line. ^[7] It uses either a Class 150 or Class 156 two-carriage diesel multiple unit.

Train Service Number: 2F80 07:53 Chester to Runcorn
Operated by Northern Rail
Runs on specified Summer Saturdays only.

Halton Curve
Legend to Manchester to Crewe 08:13 Runcorn Halton Curve Frodsham Junction Frodsham Does not call Helsby Does not call 07:53 Chester Connections to North & South Wales and the Wirral Line Service runs in one direction only (Chester → Runcorn) Service runs only on specified Summer Saturdays

Preceding station	National Rail			Following station
Chester		Northern Rail Halton Curve		Runcorn

Freight and charter services have been able to utilise the line on occasions. In addition, The Royal Train used the line when the Queen visited Liverpool.^[8]

Future

In 2004, the Strategic Rail Authority announced that it intended to close the line. The Runcorn area of the West Coast Main Line was due to be resignalled, and the SRA claimed that incorporating the curve into the scheme added a significant extra cost which could not be justified given the scant service. The closure plans have since been postponed.

Other organisations are working to upgrade the line rather than close it. The North Cheshire Rail Users Group campaign for the reintroduction of regular services.^[9]

Merseytravel proposed upgrading the Halton Curve so it can be worked bidirectionally (which would need a new crossover at Halton Junction), providing a second rail route between Liverpool and Chester. Other new services could include direct trains from Liverpool Lime Street to Wrexham or Llandudno via Liverpool South Parkway and Runcorn, which would provide improved access to Liverpool Airport for passengers from Chester, Wrexham and the various towns along the North Wales coast.

In conjunction with the above proposal, Halton Borough Council are investigating the possibility of a new station on the curve, at Beechwood, which would provide convenient interchange with Runcorn's busway network.

On 8 March 2005, the then Transport Minister Tony McNulty announced in Parliament that the resignalling work is currently scheduled for 2010 and the future of the Halton Curve will be "resolved" by then.^[10]

In July 2012, it was announced that the government would not include the Halton Curve in a £9.4 billion rail improvement scheme, although Theresa Villiers, rail and aviation minister, said the scheme had ‘recognisable benefits’.^[11] The infrastructure has remained relatively unchanged for several years.

Chemical manufacture Ineos ChlorVinyls has also revealed that the company will evaluate the possibility of using the Halton Curve for delivery of refuse-derived fuel to their Runcorn site, as part of a wider assessment being undertaken in support of their new planning application.^[12]

Network Rail's draft Route Utilisation Strategy for Wales discusses the future of the line. An hourly service between Liverpool and Chester via Runcorn and Helsby, calling at all stations except Edge Hill could be feasible if the curve was restored to bidirectional operation.^[13] The RUS document recommends that further development work take place.

In January 2014, MerseyTravel announced that it would fund research into the re-development of the Halton Curve, stating that there were benefits for Liverpool commuters and those using Liverpool John Lennon airport. The research project was to be done in conjunction with MerseyTravel, Halton Borough Council, the Welsh Government and six county authorities in North Wales.^[14]

Reopening

In July 2014, George Osborne announced £10.4m of funding to redevelop the line had been secured. The reopened route should improve connectivity between the Weaver Vale area and Liverpool John Lennon Airport as well as permitting through services between Liverpool and North Wales via Liverpool South Parkway.^[15][16] In August 2014 Merseytravel presented the Liverpool City Region Long Term Rail Strategy to regional city leaders. The 30-year plan for the network included possible uses for the curve such as connections to South Wales.^[17]

References

External links

• Map of area showing route of Halton Curve
• North Cheshire Rail Users Group
• Network Rail Document mention halton curves.

Coordinates: 53°19′N 2°42′W / 53.31°N 2.70°W / 53.31; -2.70