Anyone wanting to help secure the promised two trains an hour from Knutsford and Northwich have two weeks to have their say before the consultation closes.
Tatton MP Esther McVey is urging people to take part in the joint consultation from the Department for Transport, Network Rail and Transport for the North looking at changes to the network.
She has been campaigning for the promised service, which made up part of the franchise bid in 2015 but never emerged and has submitted her response to the consultation.
Ms McVey said: “I have been very clear we need the extra capacity on the line and it needs to be delivered. I have had many meetings with rail bosses and ministers over this issue and was very unimpressed when Northern said there was not capacity for it on the line. As far as I am concerned it was part of the bid that won them the franchise and should be delivered.
“The most important thing is it happens and that is why I welcomed this consultation into rail provision in the North as it seemed to be the way we could secure the additional services. I have made my views known and I hope others will too. The more people that contribute the stronger case we have.”
The consultation has four options including making no changes to the current timetable. Option C is the option which would see the doubling in service as other areas of the timetable would be changed, freeing up capacity on the line.
If option C is favoured it could see trains from Southport to Alderley Edge being replaced by a service from Manchester to Alderley Edge and the Chelford service now going into Manchester Airport.
Ms McVey added: “I urge everyone who uses these services or could be affected to look at the consultation and respond. The consultation needs to hear from people directly impacted by the options. I understand that there are trade-offs for this option but I feel it will positively impact more residents than those negatively impacted by it.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps in a letter to Ms McVey said: “I appreciate your views on the three timetable options being consulted on to improve train performance in the Manchester area and more widely in the north of England. Your submission will be considered as part of the consultation.
“Our aim is to create a simpler, more evenly spaced timetable that reduces the risk of knock-on delays and provides a network of connecting services that people can rely on day to day. We are urging people to give their feedback through the consultation process. We want as many people to respond as possible so that we achieve a final timetable proposition that benefits not only those wanting to travel in and out of Manchester but also across the North.”
The consultation closes on the 10th March and can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/timetable-options-to-improve-rail-performance-in-the-north-of-england
