WIRRAL'S Liberal Democrat group are calling for "more progress" on the long-running saga of the proposed electrification of the Bidston-Wrexham railway.

In a notice of motion due to be considered at Wirral Council on Monday, they will describe the proposal as "a vital project to provide improved access to employment opportunities for Wirral residents".

Lib Dem Cllr Jean Quinn, cabinet member for Streetscene and transport services, said: "Wirral has been waiting since the 1970s for the mid-Wirral railway line to be electrified.

"Despite studies being conducted into the feasibility of this, little real progress has been made.

"In order to grow our way out of the current economic crisis we need investment in public infrastructure projects.

"Top of the priority list for such investment should be projects which prepare communities for recovery.

"The Bidston – Wrexham Borderlands electrification fits this bill perfectly."

She added: "In the short term, it would provide immediate opportunities for employment of construction workers.

"In the longer term, this investment would create improved links to job opportunities for Wirral residents.

"Network Rail has estimated costs for the electrification and upgrade of the whole Bidston to Wrexham line is over £200m.

"This higher than anticipated cost for electrification of the line has made it very unlikely that that amount of funding will be found in the foreseeable future."

Cllr Quinn says her party is calling for the project to be broken up into smaller, more manageable and affordable stages.

"For example, the project could start with the provision of new stations at Prenton and Beechwood in the short term, followed by electrification between Bidston and Woodchurch in the medium term and then further electrification along the route as required," she said.

"While other parts of the region such as Liverpool and Manchester have already received, or are promised upgrades to their rail systems, I am saying the people of Wirral have waited long enough for this much needed investment in its public transport infrastructure.

"Now is the time to find a way forward and start getting this done."

Outgoing Wirral South MP Ben Chapman has also been a vocal supporter of electrification on the line.