A new intermodal freight terminal is planned for a site between Manchester and Liverpool near the junction of the M6 and M62.
The site at Newton-le-Willows is also close to the West Coast Mail Line.
Developer Langtree has formed a joint venture company with St Helens Council to acquire the site of the former Parkside Colliery which closed in 1993. and the West Coast Mail Line
Council Leader Barrie Grunewald said: “Parkside is one of the most important assets this borough has within its boundaries and offers the potential to create thousands of new jobs. This is a prime development site in the North West and offers a unique destination – sitting alongside the M6 and the West Coast mainline. It is hoped to reinstate the rail link with the mainline to create an inter modal freight centre.”
The aim is to submit a planning application this year so that the development can move on to create much needed employment as quickly as possible.
John Downes, chief executive of Langtree said: “The former Parkside Colliery site is a tremendous development opportunity and we are delighted to have joined forces with St Helens Council to bring the site back into beneficial use. At its peak some 2000 people worked at Parkside, mainly in skilled jobs, and it would be fantastic if we could bring such job numbers back to the site.”
