WIRRAL’S Liberal Democrat leader Simon Holbrook has called for an independent inquiry into the “wildly” differing prices to create an electrified railway line from Bidston to Wrexham.

Liberal Democrat councillors are calling for an end to delays on the upgrade of the so called “Borderlands” Bidston-Wrexham line.

They expressed dismay at the very different estimates for the work – Network Rail’s £207m costing is three times that of transport authority Merseytravel.

The Borderlands line could provide a major boost to job opportunities during the economic downturn is to be the subject of a debate at a meeting of Wirral’s full council.

Cllr Simon Holbrook, Liberal Democrat Leader and deputy leader of the council, who will be leading the debate on a Liberal Democrat motion said: “We’ve been pressing for the electrification of the Borderlands Bidston-Wrexham line for many years.

“The line links the industries of Deeside with North Birkenhead, where greater job opportunities are required.

“Upgrading the line will not only boost the economy in that area but will also provide further jobs in the kind of public works project that the Government is calling for during the economic downturn.”

The project that would link Deeside with Liverpool with a regular direct train service is feared to have hit the buffers because the cost was put at £207m by Network Rail.

Cllr Holbrook said: “I am dismayed at the wildly differing costings for the works from Network Rail and Merseytravel.

“An independent review is needed to establish the true costs. We need to get on with the job.”

Last month Merseytravel’s chief executive Neil Scales told a House of Commons committee: “We have been pushing our colleagues at Network Rail to do the study, which came out at £207m, which I found absolutely outrageous.”

And chairman of Merseytravel Mark Dowd said last night that he was “totally in favour of the Borderlands service improvements – if it’s value for money”.

Cllr Dowd, who plans to attend the meeting at Wirral Council next week, said Network Rail were the “judge, jury and executioner” but they were pressing ahead with assessing the costs of overhead electrification.

Cllr Dowd described the Bidston-Wrexham link as “vitally important” but said: “If they [Network Rail] decide they do not want to do it, they will not do it. It’s a total and utter monopoly.

“We need a better service – an hourly service is a waste of time.”

He said in the meantime they were looking at ways of improving the existing service and feedback on overhead electrification is expected in March or April 2009.

Cllr Dave Mitchell, who will be seconding the motion at Wirral Council said: “Merseytravel are willing to do the work at a third of the cost quoted by Network Rail, and take over the line, integrating it with the Merseyrail network.

“We think that makes sound economic sense all round, delivering greater efficiencies and investment for the benefit of local people.”

Wirral’s MPs and North West MEPs are also being urged to lobby the Government on this issue.

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