RAIL users group chairman John Oates has welcomed more train services on the Mid Cheshire Line while calling for further improvements.

John is chairman of the Mid Cheshire Rail Users Association, and said from September 14 there would be an improved service on the line connecting Chester to Manchester via Northwich, Knutsford, Altrincham and Stockport.

He said: “Northern, which operates the services, is set to introduce new timetables as the entire rail industry adapts to a ‘new normal’ as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Introduced on Monday, September 14, the timetables will deliver more services in many areas and will extend operating hours in others.

“On a very small number of routes there will be no increases and, for a handful, a reduction in services.”

On the Mid Cheshire Line services would start earlier and finish later, he said, with trains running hourly at peak periods, but still two-hourly in the off-peak and on Sundays, but the timetables did not represent a return to pre-Covid service levels.

He said the association had been pressing Northern management to increase the service levels on the Mid Cheshire Line ever since the twice-hourly weekday service was introduced.

He added: “As more commuters return to work and, in particular, the schools are back at Altrincham, Knutsford, Northwich and Greenbank, we are pleased to see an improvement in the service.

“MCRUA are still not happy with service levels and will continue to demand further improvements.

“Until December 12 there is still only a two-hourly service in the off- peak service and on Sundays which is totally unacceptable to the users on the Mid Cheshire Line.”

For further details of the service improvements visit mcrua.org.uk