Community rail line on track for improvements (From Knutsford Guardian)
Send us news by text, start your message Knutsford News and your send photos and videos to 80360
Community rail line on track for improvements
5:30pm Sunday 29th January 2012 in News
RAIL users in the Knutsford area could see an improvement on the train line to Manchester and Chester after it was granted a special status.
The Mid Cheshire Line, which runs through Plumley, Knutsford, Mobberley and Ashley, has received Government backing as a designated community rail service.
The upgrade in designation of the line was announced on January 18, and should mean improvements will be made on the line and the trains.
Sally Buttifant, the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership Officer, said she was thrilled the line had been designated as a community rail service.
“This means we have access to new Government funds, and the people of mid Cheshire will have more say in how their railway line is run,” she said.
“I must thank all my partners for working toward this objective and making it possible.”
John Oates, chairman 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.”
Clr Jamie Macrae, prosperity portfolio holder at Cheshire East, said: “This is another positive step for those travelling by train on the Chester to Manchester line via Knutsford.
“The designation of the line as a community rail service means that we can continue the exciting, community-led initiatives on the Mid Cheshire line with extra drive and enthusiasm and have a rail service that meets our local needs.”
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.”
l Talk about this on our website at knutsfordguardian.co.
uk or on our Facebook page.
