SUPER swift transport links between St Helens and Liverpool will be created by the electrification of a key local rail route.

The Government this week announced plans to electrify three regional rail routes and say passengers will benefit from greener and more reliable journeys.

One of the lines to be upgraded is the 15-mile track between Huyton and Wigan.

This will allow electric trains to operate between Liverpool and Wigan via St Helens Central.

It is expected journey times to and from our town to the city will be dramatically shortened by the £200m investment.

The Government says it is a further pledge to future rail travel after an announcement in the summer that the Liverpool Lime to Manchester Victoria line – which goes via stations including Newton-le-Willows, Lea Green and St Helens – will be electrified.

The projects could take between four and seven years to complete.

Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis said: "These improvements will be of great benefit to passengers in the North West. Electric trains are not only quicker, but quieter, smoother and more reliable than diesels.

"Electrification creates the opportunity to carry more passengers thanks to longer trains on these busy routes and to allow some 30 year old ‘Pacer’ diesel trains to be retired.

“It also allows existing diesels to be re-deployed to provide longer trains on busy routes elsewhere.”