CAMPAIGNERS claim their bid to reopen the Northwich-Crewe rail link and Middlewich Station is back on track.

Council chiefs from Cheshire East and West have given their backing to a project to upgrade the obsolete line, and its now full steam ahead!

The news follows a report by Railway Consultancy Ltd on behalf of the Middlewich Railway Steering Group (MRSG).

The dossier said upgrading the line for passenger services and reopening the Holmes Chapel Road station is viable, and talks between project leaders and rail bosses are now imminent.

MRSG chairman Vernon Perkins said: “The option which provides a service from Northwich to Crewe via Middlewich far exceeded our expectations, providing a benefit-cost ratio which is substantially higher than the threshold required to take the project further.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s environment portfolio holder Neil Ritchie told the Chronicle: “A new direct rail service between Northwich and Crewe via Middlewich would be of great benefit to all the county’s residents.”

With a population of 13,600, Middlewich is currently the largest town in Cheshire without a railway station. The station has not been used since 1959.

- For the full story log on to www.midcheshirechronicle.co.uk on Wednesday morning.