A NUMBER of rail improvements could boost life for St Helens' commuters over the coming years.

Merseyside rail bosses are calling for a new train station at Carr Mill and line improvements between Rainford and Skelmersdale.

They are also proposing a new route between Chester and Leeds, via Newton-le-Willows.

The schemes are included in Merseytravel's 30-year strategy, which will be discussed on September 19 by the Combined Authority, which includes the leader of St Helens Council.

The station at Carr Mill is one of a package of six stations proposed for the region.

According to a Merseytravel report, the station would be a response to "new development and new markets" and it would address an "area of existing latent demand".

An evaluation will be undertaken to understand the rationale behind the proposed station, the likely catchment it would serve and the impact on the rest of the line.

Meanwhile, line between Rainford and Skelmersdale is set to get new electric spurs to enhance service and to support plans to increase rail freight handling at Knowsley Industrial Park - with the controversial Parkside Rail Freight Terminal.

Plans to build the terminal at the former Parkside pit site face opposition from people living nearby but have won the support of politicians who say it will create thousands of jobs and put St Helens on the map.

Chair of Merseytravel Liam Robinson said: “It is about ensuring the rail connections we have within our city region link seamlessly with those beyond, not only to what we would consider the untapped potential of local catchment areas such as North Wales and Skelmersdale but to London and to places like Manchester and across the Pennines to Leeds through better, faster and more frequent connections.

“Delivering on our strategy will make us ‘HS2 ready’ and it puts us ahead of the game in taking forward east-west connectivity across the north."