MIKE Amesbury has welcomed the reopening of the Halton Curve rail line as "a huge boost for commuters in Weaver Vale."

The Weaver Vale MP was one of the guests to be invited on the inaugural Chester to Liverpool service today, Monday, following the opening of the Halton Curve train line.

The reopening of the line came following a long campaign.

READ> First North Wales to Liverpool rail service in more than 40 years

It had originally been due to open in December last year but was delayed, prompting the MP to meet with Transport Secretary Chris Grayling who put the delay down to a ‘lack of rolling stock’.

The new seven-day hourly service was made possible after the 2.5km Halton Curve section of line was finally upgraded allowing trains to travel in both directions, with stops including Chester, Helsby , Frodsham , Runcorn, Liverpool South Parkway and Liverpool Lime Street.

Rail bosses say the new service will remove the need for 170,000 road journeys helping to reduce congestion and will also improve links to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Mr Amesbury said: “My constituents have been rightly concerned about the state of rail services in Weaver Vale.

“I was hugely frustrated when the Curve was completed on time but was unable to open due to this lack of rolling stock.

"Labour authorities locally kept their part of the bargain but were let down by the Government, a frustration I expressed repeatedly to the Transport Secretary and rail bosses.

“Today has been a long time coming, but we now have a crucial piece of infrastructure that’s fully operational, and will not only open up North Wales and the Liverpool City Region to my constituents, but will also be a big boost to the environment by reducing the need for as many car journeys.

“This will be a huge boost to commuters in my constituency.”