Passengers in the North West will have more say on how local rail services are run after the designation of the Mid-Cheshire railway line as a community rail service, Rail Minister Theresa Villiers has announced.
Designation of the line between Chester and Manchester via Northwich will enable train companies to work more closely with community rail partnerships to better design services to meet local needs.
Rail Minister Theresa Villiers said:
“I want to encourage communities to become more closely involved with their railways to help create the services and stations passengers deserve.
“That’s why I am delighted to announce this latest community rail designation.
“This designation is a major step towards helping the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership work closely with local groups to provide innovative and more cost-effective rail services for their community.”
Ian Bevan, Managing Director of Northern Rail, which runs services on the route, said:
“Northern welcomes the designation of the Mid Cheshire line as a community rail service.
“This line plays an important role in the area and designation will assist in identifying innovative ways of developing this line to the benefit of local people and visitors to the region.
“The community rail partnership for the line is already doing a great job and this will enable it to go from strength to strength.”
John Oates, Chair of the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership said:
“Community Rail Service Designation for the Mid Cheshire Line will help us to achieve even more for passengers on our line.
“We look forward to having greater flexibility and the opportunity to work more closely with the rail industry, users, local councils and others to maximise the benefit of rail services and station improvements in Mid Cheshire.”
