Rail chiefs have revealed a 30-year plan to expand the regional rail network in Liverpool.

New lines are planned, along with the reopening of old ones and the construction of new stations, the Liverpool Echo reports.

The Long Term Rail Strategy document is to be put to the Merseytravel Committee next week, before going to the Combined Local Authority for approval on September 19th.

It is hoped the new connections to towns around the north-west of England will lead to more business opportunities and help to regenerate Liverpool's economy.

The full strategy provides greater details on the draft blueprint, which outlined the package of 12 rail priorities and was approved last May by Merseytravel and the Combined Authority.

Councillor Liam Robinson, Merseytravel chairman, described the plans as "big picture thinking by the Liverpool city region".

"Working with Network Rail (the rail infrastructure owner) ensures that our transport planning is intrinsically linked to our economic planning," he added.