TIMETABLE CHANGES FROM 14TH DECEMBER
12th December 2008

The Mid Cheshire Rail Users Association welcomes the positive changes that the new timetable brings. In terms of the negative changes, MCRUA is working closely with Northern Rail and other stakeholders on trying to overcome them and maintaining the best service possible.

Virgin Trains is introducing an enhanced service of Pendolino express trains to and from London Euston from that date and local rail services are being retimed to fit round the express trains. All trains on the Chester-Northwich-Knutsford-Altrincham-Manchester "Mid Cheshire Line and the Crewe-Winsford-Hartford-Liverpool line are being retimed.

On the Mid Cheshire Line two trains from Chester in the morning peak period will terminate at Stockport rather than running all the way into Manchester. Similarly, two trains towards Chester will start from Stockport in the evening peak period. An hourly service will now operate between Chester and Manchester Piccadilly throughout most of the day. It is possible for passengers on the Mid Cheshire Line to change at Altrincham and use the Metrolink tram service to reach Manchester. Through tickets (including season tickets) are available between any station on the Mid Cheshire Line and any Metrolink station. Metrolink stations in the centre of Manchester are grouped together as the destination "Metrolink City". Mid Cheshire Line passengers who choose to use the tram between Altrincham and Manchester must also use the tram to return from Manchester if they are making a return journey. A major improvement from 14th December is the provision of a two-hourly Sunday through service between the Mid Cheshire Line and Manchester Piccadilly, also continuing on to Southport. Currently Sunday passengers have to change at Altrincham and use Metrolink to reach Manchester.

There is also a much improved service on the Crewe to Liverpool line with more trains calling at Acton Bridge and Winsford stations from the 14th December.

New pocket timetables are available from all staffed stations. They can also be found on our website under Timetables.

Click here for information on the new timetable.