THE train line serving mid Cheshire is in line to be 'electrified' as a priority following the release of a report into the future of railways in the north of England.

Patrick McLoughlin, the Secretary of State for Transport, established the Northern Electrification Task Force in December 2014 to advise the government on the priorities for future rail electrification projects in the north.

The task force consists of MPs, council leaders representing Rail North, and officials from the Department for Transport and Network Rail.

And now the report – produced this week – recommends that the Mid Cheshire line, that serves Northwich and the surrounding villages, should be in 'tier one' of the electrification programme, which could mean work starts on the line in 2019.

The report adds: "We recommend that the schemes in this tier should be progressed through detailed design and business case development immediately, so that a properly costed and resourced programme can be presented for the next round of the rail industry planning cycle.

"This would allow schemes to start in 2019/2020 when the current committed programme comes to an end."

Mr McLoughlin said: “Between 2014 and 2019 more than £38 billion is being spent to improve and maintain our national rail network as part of the government’s long term economic plan.

"Electrification of the railways is a key part of that investment programme, with work underway across the north, the Midlands, and into South Wales.

"The electrification programme is central to our ambitious plans to transform the rail network across the country. It will enable the modern fleet of electric trains to run on the network, providing faster and more reliable journeys.

“I am grateful to the members of the Task Force for their work. I want to see a rolling plan for further electrification and this study will have a vital part to play in setting the agenda for 2019 and beyond.

"Network Rail will take the Task Force’s findings into account as it develops its nationwide plan to improve the nation’s railways.”