Extra train services between Cheshire and Manchester shelved

Northern Rail

Plans for extra rail services between Manchester and Cheshire have been shelved for a second time.

Commuters in Northwich, Knutsford and Mobberley had been promised an extra hourly service.

The additional route was due to start in May but the government has confirmed the plan has now been shelved.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has  confirmed the services will not be introduced as planned

He added that the plan would “adversely affect” other services and could not be introduced until “fundamental changes” were made to other parts of the network.

Tatton MP Esther McVey labelled the decision “unacceptable” and “extremely disappointing news” for people who had been “repeatedly promised an upgrade”.

She added: “It is unacceptable to have such an unreliable and irregular service in such a busy part of the country.”

The extra services would have seen two hourly departures.

A spokesman for Northern said: “Our plans to introduce two services an hour on the Mid Cheshire line have been deferred, primarily because of capacity issues in and around Manchester.

“Instead, with the new timetables we introduce in 2019, we will focus on delivering improved reliability and stability for our customers.”

 

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