IT could be full steam ahead for the campaign to reopen Middlewich’s train station if the town wins a share of a £20million cash boost.

Simon Burns, Minister of State for Transport, has told Fiona Bruce MP that Middlewich is eligible for the Government’s New Stations Funding.

Mrs Bruce is now pressing Cheshire East Council to put in an application for the funds before the February 25 deadline.

The move could put long plans to upgrade the Sandbach to Northwich line for passengers back on track.

Speaking to the Minister, Mrs Bruce said: “Middlewich already has a station – currently for freight only – which has considerable support for its opening for passenger use.

“The recent announcement of a HS2 stop at Crewe considerably strengthens the argument for this.

“The resultant connectivity advantages would not only benefit rail passengers in the region between Crewe and Manchester, but also serve to reduce the motorway congestion which peaks along the nearby stretch of the M6.

“The benefits in terms of value for money of opening up an existing station should be far greater than the complete construction of a new one.”

Mr Burns replied: “Middlewich is eligible for New Stations Funding if the promoters can arrange a train service and for track upgrade work to be carried out.”

Clr Mike Parsons, a member of Middlewich Rail Link Campaign (MRLC), said: “I think it’s brilliant and I welcome the Minister’s comments.

“There are two projects that are ready to go in Middlewich and that’s the rail link and the Town Wharf.

“All we need is funding and the nod. The only thing standing in the way is that the plans need to be supported by Network Rail.

“That is the stumbling block as our business plan is still sitting on their desk.

“I hope it does go ahead as it would improve Cheshire East’s economic development.”

Dave Roberts, chairman of MRLC, added: “A 2009 report from the Railway Consultancy made the case for reopening the line, building a station and providing a new train service with a cost:benefit ratio of 5:1 - about five times what it needs to be to merit the scheme moving forward.

“If money could be obtained from this fund, Cheshire East would no longer be able to plead poverty and Network Rail would have to look at the proposals.

“All in all a potential great leap forward.”

But a spokesman for Network Rail has dismissed Mr Burns’ comments.

He said proposals to reopen Middlewich station, which closed in 1959, had already been examined by the rail industry but not progressed due to the ‘lack of a sufficient business case’.

The spokesman said: “Enhancements of this nature would require both capital investment to fund the upgrade work and also the on-going costs or subsidy of operating the proposed service such as additional rolling stock, train crew and other operational costs.

“In respect of the £20million new station fund, Middlewich does not meet the funding eligibility requirements as there is no current passenger train service in operation, nor has a scheme been developed in support of this.”

Cheshire East Council had not commented as the Guardian went to press.