WEAVERHAM has been pinpointed for a major development as part of a national upgrade of the West Coast Main Line railway.

Network Rail and the National Grid are working in tandem to create a sub station and trackside feeder station on land in the village, as part of the Strategic Rail Authority's bid to improve the line from London to Glasgow.

According to a project spokesman, the existing overhead electrical traction power supply system cannot meet future demands and additional power must be taken from the National Grid 400kv network at regular intervals.

Logically, these intervals must be where the railway crosses, runs near to or is in the vicinity of a 400kv transmission line.

And in this respect, Weaverham has the unique features to meet the demands of the project.

However, to transform the 400kv supply to the level required for a trackside feeder station will involve creating a substation - and the search has begun for suitable development locations.

One site has already been identified in what is currently forestland in part of Brian Wilson's farmland at Mere House in Weaverham.

Landowner Mr Wilson is in talks with representatives from both parties and no agreement has been reached.

But a spokesman for the project has said that plot is just one of a number of sites being considered.

He said: "Network Rail and National Grid are considering a number of options for this supply connection site and before submitting any planning application for any location, they will be consulting with the local community to invite its views and considerations.

Advice

"Expert advice and local opinions will also be sought about many aspects, including, for example, adequate screening of any connection, environmental impact, ecological impact, archaeological and so on.

"Only when all these aspects have been gathered will any planning application be prepared and submitted."

The Guardian understands that an option open to the project groups is the creation of a Transport and Works Order, which could be obtained to 'compulsorily acquire' any land deemed invaluable to the project.

However, it is believed that Vale Royal Borough Council would initially decide the fate of any subsequent planning application.

jsawyer@guardiangrp.co.uk