Cheshire rail re-opening explored

The Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership is commissioning a study into re-opening the Sandbach to Northwich freight-only railway to passengers. Roy Newton, transport co-ordinator at the LEP, said transport secretary Chris Grayling had requested the LEP to lead work on the project. “It was originally envisaged that the study would consider the feasibility of potential options; however, the advice from the Department for Transport is that the study should aim to produce a strategic outline business case,” said Newton. The line could feature new stations at Middlewich (population 13,700) and at Gadbrook Park business park, near Northwich. Services could run to Crewe. Data from Real Time Trains shows that between Tuesday 19 June and Tuesday 26 June the line was used by just one train.