Steven Broomhead is chief executive of Warrington Borough Council and writes a regular column for the Warrington Guardian

As a regular user of our local railway stations, I often reflect on the massive under investment in our two main stations.

For a town of our size and overall prosperity, it continues to be a disappointing customer experience, despite the cheery welcoming staff, most of whom support the Wire with a small sprinkling of Saints fans. There’s always good banter with me on the platform.

There is a prospect of new investment in the future as plans to upgrade the West Coast mainline and the possibility of a new West/East connection “Northern Power Rail” which would create an excellent rail interchange facility at Bank Quay.

If you consider that the South of England has had 15 times more investment in rail projects per £ head of population than the North in the past 15 years, this would be a really welcome decision.

The problem seems to be glacial and complex decision making regarding rail investment.

A further issue seems to be the micromanagement of our railways by government.

There is a need to give the railways back to railway professionals and the reunification of revenue and cost management and greater focus on the needs of the customers. The current position of expensive piece meal involvement by government should not continue. It is a form of nationalisation in disguise without any real risks to the train companies themselves, together with significant state subsidies.

Given the micromanagement by civil servants, it is very surprising that the continuing staff pay and conditions dispute continue.

There needs to be a pragmatic solution that links pay to increased workforce efficiencies.

It would be calamitous for the customer if the rumours of closing ticket offices were actually brought forward. This would simply transfer the complex information travel issues to the foyer/platform. Rail investment should not be seen as a cost but one that supports the delivery of the net zero and environmental agendas.

Rail usage is settling down following the pandemic and is currently 75% of pre Covid levels.

However, there has been a shift in the mix of demand – more leisure and less commuting for business.

In the bus business, the extension of the £2 flat fare is really welcomed, appreciated and is already boosting demand. One idea to borrow from Germany could be the introduction of a £45 monthly pass which covers all bus, trams and trains journeys whatever the destination. It has been immensely popular and a staggering 52 million passes were sold. Seven million of these individuals were new to public transport.

A brilliant initiative which could be implemented here whilst retaining the £2 flat bus fares? It just needs a brave decision.

We need a serious game changer to improve our rail transport for our town. Let’s hope we are on the right track not the wrong train.