The first train to run along the 2km ‘Halton Curve’ near Frodsham left Wrexham General station on Monday morning.

It is thought that the new service will generate 250,000 new trips a year and remove 170,000 road journeys from routes including the M56 and A55.

The £14.5M project was funded through Local Growth Funding awarded by Government to the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, and also received capital from the region's Combined Authority.

Welsh Transport Minister Ken Skates said: “I’m delighted to be launching the new Transport for Wales rail services between north Wales and Cheshire to Liverpool.

“Each day thousands of commuters travel between north Wales and North West England. New services will strengthen links with our cross border neighbours which will create important economic and social opportunities.”

Transport for Wales chief executive James Price added that his organisation – which launched six months ago – is investing £5Bn to transform the transport sector throughout the Wales and Borders network.

Network Rail's project manager Karla Telford said: “The upgrade forms a vital part of our Great North Rail project and unlocks new work and leisure opportunities between the Liverpool City Region, its airport, Cheshire and north Wales. Improved rail links are vital to boost the local economy.”