RAIL users and residents living along the Mid Cheshire line that serves Knutsford and its surrounding villages can fill out an online survey – or write a letter – in a bid to get more trains passing through the area.

In June the Cheshire and Warrington Local Transport Body (CWLTB) recommended it would lobby Rail North – an organisation looking after the renewal of the Northern and Transpennine Express franchises – and the Department of Transport in a bid to get a half-hourly service running along the line.

The line covers Knutsford, Plumley, Mobberley and Ashley and is popular with commuters heading to Chester and Manchester.

However, the service is currently every hour and trains in peak times are often overcrowded.

The Guardian, in conjunction with the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership, is pushing for residents to lobby the government by sending an email or filling out a survey ahead of the Northern Rail franchise renewal that begins in 2016.

We want readers to fill out the survey or send an email saying there is a need for a 30-minute service. It is important that the views are submitted so they can be written into the new franchise agreement.

At present 500,000 passengers use the service in Knutsford.

The community rail partnership want a 30-minute service that would stop at the busiest stations, including Knutsford, Northwich and Greenbank.

To register your wishes for the Mid Cheshire line visit the Rail North website here and follow the link that takes you to the Department of Transport webpage.

From there you will have the chance to download the consultation document.

After reading through it fill out the survey at this address by following the link here or email your comments about the Mid Cheshire line to NorthernTPEconsultation2014@dft.gsi.gov.uk.

Alternatively you can write a letter to the following address stating the need for more trains on the line to Northern TPE Consultation Co-ordinator, Department for Transport, 4/15 Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR.

The closing dates for comments – including the survey is August 18.