RAIL commuters in the town are set to benefit from faster journeys between Liverpool and Manchester – and connectivity to cities in Yorkshire such as Leeds and York.

TransPennine Express is changing the route to services from May, meaning for the first time the services will call Newton-le-Willows and Lea Green.

The service will no longer operate on the route via Birchwood, Warrington Central or Liverpool South Parkway – meaning journey times will be down to 35 minutes from 52 between Liverpool and Manchester.

St Helens rail passengers will also be able to get on services that will link them travel directly to towns and cities in Yorkshire and the North East, including Huddersfield, Leeds, York, Scarborough, Durham and Newcastle.

Part of the Great North Rail Project (GNRP), the changes will come into effect from May 20, 2018 and will see all TPE trains from Liverpool to Manchester running on the route via Newton-le-Willows.

Mike Palin, chief executive for St Helens Council, said: “With a proud railway history in the borough, and a commitment by the council and Merseytravel to improve rail infrastructure, we welcome the first of TransPennine Express’ new services to stations in St Helens and look forward to the opportunities they provide for work and leisure, for residents, businesses and visitors.”

Commenting on the upcoming timetable change, Leo Goodwin, managing director for TransPennine Express said: “This is one of the biggest timetable changes the North has seen and will deliver real benefits for those travelling for work or leisure.

“Customers in this part of the world are already benefitting from a £32million overhaul of our train fleet to like-new standard with the on-board experience having been totally transformed.

"The upgrade features new high-quality seating and carpets, charging points, fast, free wi-fi in both standard and first class plus access to free entertainment system, Exstream.

“We are delivering an investment of more than £500million across our network including brand new five carriage Nova 3 trains which will start running to and from Liverpool from this autumn.”