COMMUTERS in Acton Bridge will get a better train service after they took on the might of the government – and won.

The Department of Transport wanted to reduce the number of trains stopping at Acton Bridge and withdraw a key commuter service which leaves Liverpool at rush hour.

But the village’s Parish Council – together with train users – decided to challenge the plans and won, resulting in more trains stopping at the award winning station.

Clr Alan Hughes, from Acton Bridge Parish Council – who uses the service to get to work every day – said he was delighted that the campaign had worked and there were now more trains stopping at Acton Bridge.

“Many people would have abandoned the train altogether if the new timetable had become a reality,” he said.

“We’re delighted that the Department for Transport has taken our concerns on board and as a result the new service will actually be better and more frequent than the one it replaces.

“The off-peak stops and the earlier return from Liverpool have been retained and we’ll actually have nine trains in each direction, compared to six at present – or five if the proposed timetable had been implemented.”

Locals and commuters wrote to Mike Hall MP and the Hazel Pear pub presented a 150-name petition to him to show the strength of feeling against the plans, which were part of the West Coast Mainline strategy.

Clr Hughes added: “The Parish Council would like to thank everyone who got involved and made a difference.

“The station has always been a central feature of the village and this decision secures a long term future for the station and the economic well being of the area.”

The new timetable comes into force on December 14.

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