PLANS for a rail freight interchange in St Helens have been scaled back in response to the slowdown in commercial property demand.

The development at the former Parkside Colliery site, in Newton-le-Willows, was meant to provide 8m sq ft of rail-linked warehousing and office space which was to provide up to 10,000 jobs.

But revised plans drawn up by developers ProLogis have reduced it to 5.5m sq ft and 5,500 long-term jobs.

The site’s footprint remains unchanged, at 670 acres, which will allow for more “useable space” around each building and more landscaping across the site.

The plan was stalled last October after “prevailing economic conditions” forced ProLogis to review the project. It believes that the revised figures are “a realistic statement of what Parkside will deliver”.

A ProLogis spokesperson said: “ProLogis wanted to review the scheme in the context of a changed economic climate and consider where improvements could be made to the original scheme, which was designed over four years ago.

“ProLogis continues to be fully committed to developing a flagship rail freight facility at Parkside, one which delivers local jobs and has the strongest environmental credentials.”