Originally part of the West Cheshire Railway, the Helsby to Mouldsworth line ceased to be used for passengers 150 years ago! However it remained in use for freight until 1991, complete with turntable and goods sheds, long gone. We understand it was also used to store fuel in rail tanks in the Second World War. The track was lifted and we understand drainage removed over 20 years ago and the land has become overgrown with vegetation.

Since the closure, there have been may attempts to explore how the land could be used as an asset to the area as a cycling and walking path, for both leisure and commuting. Sustrans have identified the route as an aspirational future National Cycle Network route which seeks to link communities and creating safe walking and cycling paths in the coming years. There have been a number of hurdles around bridge maintenance and even uncertainty about whether Network Rail, who own the land, might want to re-open the line for some purpose one day.

We understand that Department for Transport has now said that bridge maintenance issues should not be a barrier to converting disused railway lines to active travel paths, providing there’s no increase in costs to them. In effect this removes that problem. Network Rail are owned by DfT so no increase in costs would result if it was converted to a path. Network Rail have recently advised Sustrans that there are no plans to re-open the railway along this corridor and are willing to negotiate a lease with a relevant party, so another major hurdle has been crossed.

However this has to be tempered by the next challenges before us, the only credible body to explore a lease would be the borough council who are reluctant to take on more maintenance responsibilities of this sort. Budgets in the public sector are tight and understandably this is unlikely to be a priority. Medium term expectations must be realistic and it will be some years before we are able to develop this potentially valuable community asset for safe cycling and walking.

However progress is being made, albeit slow, and Cycle North Cheshire will continue to work with all parties to work towards a successful conclusion.

The route of the disused railway line.

A recent photo showing how overgrown the line has become.

Text and photo by Steve Pemberton; Map tiles © Jawgmaps, map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.