FIONA Bruce MP for the Congleton Constituency posed a question to Parliament in Transport Questions regarding the reopening of Middlewich Train Station.

Fiona asked: “It is encouraging that, after years of local campaigning by my constituents, a strategic outline business case has been developed for enhancing the mid-Cheshire rail line, including reopening Middlewich railway station in that growing town.

“What assurance can the Secretary of State give me that funding is available for this vital development work?”

Chris Grayling MP said: “There are two routes in the north that I feel particularly keen to look at seriously reopening. One is the line from Skipton to Colne.

“The other is the line that passes through Middlewich that, in my view, should be a commuter railway into Manchester.

“Transport for the North has been working on the options, and I am committed to ensuring that we take that work forward.”

Fiona added: “I am very pleased that a strategic outline business case has been requested by Government and is being developed by Cheshire East Council in conjunction with Cheshire West and Chester Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership.

“This response from the Secretary of State clearly confirms that, as he said, the Government will be looking at this seriously and I am committed, as I have said before, over many years campaigning, that I will continue to champion the re-opening of Middlewich station until we see it happen.”