Mid Cheshire Rail Users Association

Your voice for the Manchester to Chester, Crewe to Liverpool and potentially Northwich to Crewe via Middlewich railway lines

Latest News

CRP achieves government accreditation

The Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership (CRP) has gained accreditation from Department of Transport which is a gold standard that confirms it operates to high standards of governance and financial proprietary and is a suitable entity for receiving public funds.

The CRP is the local organisation which provides the link between local communities on the Line and the rail industry.

One of the key purposes of Community Rail is to provide a voice for the community and to communicate local people’s views and needs to the rail industry.

By providing this dialogue as a critical, independent friend of the rail industry, the CRP’s main objective is to identify ways the Mid Cheshire Line can play a more active and effective role in supporting and improving the communities it serves.

John Hulme, a Director of the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership said:
“The CRP is delighted to have been accepted for accreditation from the Department of Transport.
“There are around 70 CRP’s in the country of which just over half are accredited.
“Because accreditation brings with it access to government funding, this makes our work as a voice for the community supporting social and economic development well placed.
“I especially thank Sarah Morgan, our Community Rail Officer, for her efforts in achieving this gold standard.”

Sally Morgan, the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership Officer said:
“These are exciting times for the Mid Cheshire Line and the Community Rail Partnership as we look forward to opening up the railways to travel post pandemic.
“Our volunteer groups are starting to return to their local station projects and the CRP is actively looking at projects with Knutsford and Northwich Town Councils and other local parish councils along the Line.
“Our accreditation confirms the community-facing role the CRP will play locally and whilst our plans promote sustainable, healthy and accessible travel we are also looking at ways of bringing communities together and supporting diversity and inclusion.
“The CRP are keen to look at opportunities for individuals to volunteer on railway linked projects, especially those socially isolated, so that we can provide them with new life skills and a purpose in the community.
“My thanks go to the board members and local stakeholders of the CRP for the support given in achieving accreditation.”

Manchester Metrolink

The Metrolink Altrincham line is replaced by buses this coming weekend 10th and 11th April while the former BR crossover at Old Trafford is being taken out along with its associated overhead wiring.

Replacement buses will run between Altrincham and Piccadilly Station.

Click here for further details of Metrolink services

Temporary Covid Timetable

Northern have introduced a Temporary Covid Timetable from Monday 18th January 2021 ….

Please note there are now National Travel Restictions in place. Please check these restrictions prior to your journey.

If you choose to travel by train, please travel safe. You must wear a face covering on board the train and in the station (unless a medical condition or disability prevents you), try to avoid busy times varying your usual travel times to prevent crowding and check the times of your journey before you travel.

If you are showing any Coronavirus symptoms, however mild, you should self-isolate along with other members of your household. The latest Public Health England advice is available here.?

Click here or details of Northern Timetable 17 for the Mid Cheshire Line and other Northern services.

Please note that timetables are still subject to change. It is advisable to plan your journey, as close to your travel time as possible, using National Rail Journey Planner for the most accurate service information.

Educational Season Tickets

Educational Season Tickets are now available for participating schools on the Mid Cheshire Line for the Spring and Summer terms 2021.

Participating schools on the Line include:
 – Altrincham Grammar School for Boys at Altrincham
 – Altrincham Grammar School for Girls at Altrincham
 – Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College at Altrincham
 – Hartford High School at Greenbank
 – Knutsford Academy at Knutsford
 – Loreto Grammar School at Altrincham
 – North Cestrian Grammar School at Altrincham
 – St Ambrose High School at Hale 
 – St Nicholas Catholic High School at Greenbank
 – The Grange School at Greenbank
 – Wellington School at Navigation Road

Benefits include:
 – Up to 50% saving on the cost of the ticket
 – Tickets can be used anytime including evenings and weekends
 – You can budget for train travel for the whole year
 – Easy online set up

Click here for further details

New Community Rail Officer

The Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership has welcomed a new officer to engage with the community and develop new projects to benefit passengers.

Knutsford resident, Sarah Morgan, has worked for local councils before becoming community rail officer for the partnership, and has been a regular commuter on the Mid Cheshire Line.

In her new role, Sarah will drive improvements and promote the use of the railway, while also ensuring that the partnership’s action plan is meeting its aims and objectives.

Sarah said:
“My first week has seen five of the stations along the line receiving awards in the Cheshire Best Kept Station Awards, as well as an individual commendation for one of the volunteers, so I know there is a great team to work with.

“I have also followed the wonderful railway and wildlife artwork that has been commissioned by the partnership, the latest exhibition being on display at Tatton Park.

“I feel very fortunate to continue to work on these projects and to have the opportunity to develop my own ideas for projects and events.”

John Oates, Chairman of the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership added:
“Sarah joins us in this full time role with all the attributes we were looking for – living alongside the line, experience within the community, flexible hours that are demanded of a community rail officer, a passion for the line but most of all a lovely personality with the motivation to get things done.”

Gallery in the Gardens

The Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership are proud to be displaying aclaimed Cheshire artist, Nick Thompson’s 12 Cheshire Wonderful Wildlife platform railway posters at Tatton Park Gardens ….

Due to popular demand, this fantastic Gallery in the Gardens will now run until 12th February 2021

Follow a route around the Gardens to see all 12 poster designs.

Areas included in the exhibition are the Walled Kitchen Garden, Charlotte’s Gazebo, Dipping Pond, the Choragic Monument, Japanese Garden and Italian Terrace.

There is also a FREE 24-page brochure accompanying the exhibition, written by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust.

This booklet, funded and published by the CRP, is also available at staffed stations on the Mid Cheshire Line.

Click here to visit the Gallery in the Gardens Exhibition at Tatton Park

Click here to view our video of the Gallery in the Gardens Exhibition

Click here to view our 24 page full colour Cheshire’s Wonderful Wildlife Booklet

Click here to purchase our Wonderful Wildlife posters and postcards

Click here to view the Exhibition Launch as reported by our local papers