PLANS to reopen a rail line through Mid Cheshire are back on track, following a delay in proceedings.

Rail group leaders and local representatives appointed to the Rail Steering Group feared their plans to set up a passenger rail service between Northwich, Middlewich and Sandbach - including reopening Middlewich's station for the first time in 47 years - had derailed, following two months without word from leader Cllr Mark Dickson.

But Cllr Dickson, who had promised to take the steering group's completed research to Cheshire County Council, where it would be turned into a full business plan, has reassured the group that the plans were still moving forward, despite a pause enforced by personal reasons.

He said: 'It hasn't progressed as much as I'd planned, largely because I had a period of extended leave during which I have been moving house. But things are much more settled now and this is very high on my list of priorities.

'This delay has been down to me, not any problems with the plans, and I am back working on it again. The next step will be to bring the group to meet Cheshire County Council's environmental director, Tom McCabe, to develop a proper business plan, which I hope can happen in the next few weeks.'

Middlewich railway station saw its last passengers in 1959. In 1992, the station's renaissance was given impetus by the launch of Middlewich Rail Link Campaign (MRLC) which has spearheaded the campaign ever since.

Dave Roberts, president of the MRLC, expressed relief at Cllr Dickson's statement.

He said: 'The Steering Group seemed to have stalled for some time, and we'd been unable to speak to Mark since late June. 'But it's encouraging that he seems to realise our concerns, as there's not much we can do now until he has progressed this with the county.

'We will wait for the Steering Group and then take things from there. If things move forward then we're very pleased.'