UKREiiF | Warrington ready for Northern Arc boom
Steve Park, director of growth at Warrington Council, expects to reap the rewards of the infrastructure project with the latest proposal for a Liverpool-Manchester rail link placing Warrington at the heart of the route.
The Northern Arc, announced at MIPIM 2025, is expected to run through Liverpool Central, Liverpool Parkway, Warrington Bank Quay, Manchester Airport, and Manchester Piccadilly and could provide an economic reward of up to £7bn for the region.
Park said: “[The Northern Arc] isn’t just about one city, it isn’t just about one sub-region, it’s about stringing together the North West’s economic assets.
“I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to get the attention of the ministers in the way that we have – fair play to the political leaders that have pushed for this, and Warrington is absolutely part of it.”
Park believes the Ox-Cam Arc “captured the government’s attention”, allowing the scope for a similar project in the North West to gain political momentum.
Promises to the North of infrastructure improvements, especially railways, are seldom fulfilled, but Park, following conversations with ministers, believes this time will be different.
“Ministers have been really receptive. You never quite know how it’s going to land. It’s been very important to have these conversations this side of the comprehensive spending review.”
He added that the mayoral contingent that travelled to London last week was well received.
“We can’t wish for more than that. We’ve come together as a region and we’ve got a wonderful opportunity that’s well documented now.”
He said: “Having the design and vision is one thing, but demonstrating to government that you’ve got the structure, the governance, and the private sector partnerships in place to make it happen is equally important.
“Each of the component stations has delivery capabilities, delivery structures in place, with a track record, and it’s giving that confidence to the government that we’re good to go.
“We aren’t going to be relying purely on the Treasury to fund this, because we are leaning into pension funds and private sector involvement.”
Park said the combination of Warrington Bank Quay’s connection to the West Coast Mainline, the potential of the Northern Arc, and the prevalence of developable land in and around Warrington, “is different from anywhere in the country at the moment”.
“The backbone of the Northern Arc is undoubtedly Northern Powerhouse Rail, and with that, Warrington Bank Quay station will play a central role.”
Warrington can also benefit from its geographical assets, such as the River Mersey and Manchester Ship Canal, in addition to an abundance of agricultural land raised outside of the flood zone.
Park said the natural Cheshire environment can help drive Warrington’s growth, for example, the use of the River Mersey as a sustainable cooling system for potential data centres or battery storage facilities.
Now, Park’s eyes are set on the powers that could be wielded by a regional mayor, with elections for the leadership of the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority set for May next year, particularly in regards to compulsory purchase, which Park said is crucial for unlocking the area’s brownfield sites.
Through devolution, the combined authority would be able to set up a mayoral development corporation to bring funders, local councils, and local landowners in the private sector together.
The challenge for Warrington is getting access to viable employment land, of which Warrington Bank Quay will play a part but the “more difficult, post-industrial sites” will need funding to unlock.
“That’s why it’s really important that devolution comes to Cheshire and Warrington, because we’re desperate for access to brownfield release funding.
“With funding, we can deliver 1,000s and 1,000s of low-carbon homes in sustainable locations,” said Park.
