RAIL bosses have met with campaigners, councillors and MPs to keep plans for Middlewich’s train line on track.

Consultancy firm WSP is currently working on a study which is looking into the feasibility of bringing passenger trains back on the Northwich to Sandbach line.

Representatives from the firm presented their progress so far at a stakeholder meeting last Friday, which included Network Rail as well as key local figures – such as Cheshire East Council.

Stephen Dent, chairman of the Mid Cheshire Rail Link campaign group, felt the meeting went positively.

He said: “We presented the consultants with a long list of potential train journeys, starting from the very minimum of Sandbach to Northwich, then extending it to include the Western Link to Manchester Airport, and journeys to Staffordshire, Warrington and Liverpool.

“They will assess the situation and we will meet again with probably a shortlist of about five different projects that we can look at in more detail.

“The next stage is to produce the outline business plan for which we are still looking for funding.”

Stephen added that the group is expected to meet again in the next month to map out the next phase of the work.

Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Transport, announced in July that the Northwich to Sandbach line was one of two that his department wanted to reopen to passenger trains.

At last Thursday’s full council meeting, Cllr Simon McGrory, CEC member for Middlewich, said: “It’s no secret that in Middlewich we have championed the need to provide adequate infrastructure. We’re a growing town, especially in regard to transport systems.

“After the decision by this council to deliver a bypass, the reopening of a rail link to connect mid Cheshire to the rest of the world by train has become the number one priority.”

The Middlewich First member asked Cllr Rachel Bailey, leader of CEC, if future funding for the rail link could be ringfenced – including at least £20,000 for a business case.

But Cllr Bailey said she could not confirm funding for the project ‘at this point’ until she had been updated by the Cheshire and Warrington local transport board.