RAIL passengers in Cheshire can board with confidence as extensive work is taking place to keep trains 'Covid-secure'.

That's the message from Northern, which runs services on lines running through in Knutsford, Wilmslow and Holmes Chapel.

Extra cleaning is being carried out on trains and at stations, while social distancing remains in place across the Northern network, and face coverings are mandatory for everyone travelling by train – aside from those with specific exceptions.

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “As an industry we have been working hard to make the railway as safe as possible, so we were ready for more people to return to our trains and stations.

“We know it has been a difficult time for the communities we serve and we’re grateful that so many listened to our advice to only make essential journeys during the worst of the crisis.

“We have more cleaning staff – both on train and at stations – than ever before and they are working around the clock to keep our network clean and reduce the potential for the virus to spread."

Northern currently employs around 430 staff across the north to clean trains during the day and at night at the end of service, along with 150 who clean stations along the network.

All staff are currently focusing on cleaning touch points such as buttons, handles, tables and toilets, and Northern has invested in a new cleaning product – Zoono – to help protect customers further.

Zoono not only cleans surfaces and kills bacteria and viruses, it also protects every surface for up to 30 days and can be used to either wipe surfaces or as a mist on surfaces, floors and seats.

Chris added: “Our cleaning staff are doing a fantastic job, but we need our customers to play their part too.

“Everyone travelling by train must still wear a face covering, unless specific exceptions apply to them, and people should still wash their hands frequently – at least before and after every journey.

“We’re also asking our customers to consider the times of their journeys and to try to travel at quieter times, outside of the peak hours, when trains are not as busy.

“And finally, all rail travellers should take any litter off the train with them at the end of their journey."