THE light at the end of the tunnel may be closer than ever before for the Middlewich Rail Link Campaign (MRLC).

Campaigners have seized the opportunity to make their voices heard by Network Rail after the rail company announced they were seeking comments on its draft Regional Urban Market Study.

The study considers ways in which the railway network can be improved and developed in the future and will use their findings to make long-term strategic plans for regional development.

Dave Roberts, Chairman of MRLC, will be presenting a letter to Richard Eccles, Network Rail’s Director of Network Strategy and Planning, in the near future and is inviting comments from Middlewich residents who wish to see the line reopen.

In his draft letter Dave writes: “Middlewich, in general, and the immediate vicinity of the proposed new station in particular, contains many potential commuters who work in the Manchester area and are currently obliged to travel by car into the city on the A556, due to the lack of a train service.

“The scheme also, we should point out, falls within the criteria stated in your introduction to your draft document, in that Middlewich is less than 50 miles from Manchester and, as the Railway Consultancy report shows, has the potential to generate a considerable number of journeys daily, both, both by commuters and leisure-seekers.

“We would submit that the Middlewich scheme should be seriously considered by network planners, as it has so much potential to help Network Rail achieve its aims as set out in the Regional Urban Market Study.”

The Regional Urban market relates primarily to travel by large numbers of people for commuting or leisure purposes in an area less than 50 miles from a regional centre and the study seeks to understand where rail can exploit its competitive advantages in best serving this market.

Although news of the study has been welcomed by campaigners, a spanner was put in the works at a recent meeting of the newly formed Cheshire and Warrington Local Transport Body (CWLTB).

At the beginning of July Cheshire East Clr Mike Parsons was invited to the CWLTB meeting in Winsford to present the case for reopening the Middlewich Branch Line/Station.

It was expected that Network Rail would have representation at the meeting and that it would present a suitable opportunity for Clr Parsons to put the issue before them in front of a committee but a representative failed to show. 

Clr Parsons said: “It was another slap in the face but I certainly don’t plan to go away.”

Earlier this year members of the Middlewich Rail Link Campaign (MRLC) welcomed the creation of CWLTB with open arms and hoped it was the breakthrough needed to finally make the campaign’s aims a reality.

Speaking two weeks after attending the first meeting of CWLTB in May, Fiona Bruce MP, said: “The stated aim of the CWLTB is to improve transport infrastructure to secure significant connectivity gains in the support of economic growth and prosperity in the region.

“This would be one of the key benefits of opening up Middlewich Station for passengers and the MRLC is pressing the CWLTB to ensure that this important project is on its high priority list.”

Despite Mrs Bruce and Cheshire East Council’s support, securing Pete Waterman as Patron for MRLC, and the creation of CWLTB, Clr Parsons highlighted that the success of the campaign relied on Network Rail’s engagement and their full commitment to project. 

He said that Network Rail’s failure to send representation to the meeting was disappointing and demeaning to all who took the time to attend.   

He added: “I can see no other reason for their no-show other than they cannot be bothered.”

A spokesperson for Network Rail confirmed that a representative was invited to the meeting but that due to unforeseen circumstances their chosen representative was unable to attend.

Email stationcampaign@aol.com with any comments you wished to be submitted to Network Rail on behalf of the Middlewich Rail Link Campaign.