BUILDING work to repair the demolished roof at Northwich train station looks set to begin in the new year.

The update comes as ticket office staff ready themselves to make a return to work before then, with a more suitable entrance also being provided.

It is not yet clear if the re-build will also make the station accessible to all rail passengers, with no confirmation coming from central Government on additional funding for that.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is set to announce a £7bn funding pledge for new transport projects in his budget on Wednesday, October 27.

Northwich MP Mike Amesbury has called on the Government to get serious about its 'Levelling Up' strategy.

He said: "If this Government is serious about so-called Levelling Up then here is the opportunity to build forward with a new, accessible station for Northwich.

"I would urge them to move beyond the rhetoric and get this done.

"Some funding to make the necessary changes is available locally but I continue to press central Government to step up to the plate.

"This accessibility project would make a fundamental difference to our local community.

"Accessible, safe, reliable and affordable public transport is so crucial to the needs of the nation, especially as we move toward a carbon neutral economy."

Northwich Guardian: The collapsed Northwich station is set to be rebuillt in 2022

The collapsed Northwich station is set to be rebuillt in 2022

Cllr Andrew Cooper welcomed the news Network Rail and Northern have brought forward a timetable for building works to begin.

He said: "I look forward to seeing the plans in detail when they are released.

"It is vital that this opportunity to solve the long-standing accessibility issues at Northwich station is not missed.

"Cheshire West and Chester Council have put together a blueprint of how lifts could be introduced into the existing station footprint and we’ve worked closely with the rail industry and accessibility groups to make sure that this will work and meets the need.

"I hope that Network Rail and Northern will be successful in securing funding from the DfT so we can make this a reality as part of the rebuild."

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "We thank passengers for their patience while we’ve been working hard to repair Northwich station since the partial building collapse earlier this year.

"In the coming months a staffed ticket office is due to reopen for passengers, along with self-service ticket machines and a more suitable entrance to the station itself.

"The demolished part of the building is scheduled to be rebuilt in 2022."