THE campaign to re-open the Sandbach to Northwich railway line has received a boost after the petition was officially handed to MP Fiona Bruce.

The Middlewich Rail Link group, which was set up 20 years ago, launched the petition in April in an attempt to upgrade the line for passengers and re-open Middlewich railway station.

On September 22, the petition, which has around 2000 signatures, was passed from Cheshire East Clr Mike Parsons, ward member of Middlewich, to Fiona Bruce MP.

The Middlewich MP will now prepare to the present the petition in Westminster this autumn.

Fiona Bruce MP said: “It is a sign of the strength and depth of feeling in Middlewich in favour of the re-opening of Middlewich station for passengers that almost 2000 local people have signed this petition.

“This petition will enable me to bring to the direct attention of the Transport Minister the support for the re-opening for passengers for Middlewich Station and its strategic importance on the line from Crewe via Sandbach through to Northwich and beyond.

“I am particularly delighted that all the MPs in the surrounding constituencies linked by this line have officially supported this campaign – George Osborne, Edward Timpson and Graham Evans.”

Cheshire East Clr Mike Parsons said that he could not voice enough thanks to the volunteers who had rallied to the call to help promote the petition.

He praised the efforts of Victoria Membery, Miss Teen West of Cheshire, Galloway Close resident Robin Lord and Clr Peter Hirst - who worked closely with local retailers to ensure petition forms were always on hand.

He said: “Middlewich residents can take heart that they are not alone in this campaign as many residents of Knutsford have rallied to support the scheme.

“Knutsford town councillor, Andrew Malloy, commented on how the reopening of the line would benefit Knutsford by providing a direct link to Crewe.

“I thank him for his active role in adding Knutsford residents to the petition and providing the wider case for the delivery of the scheme.”