PASSENGERS from as far away as Trafford could be crucial in securing the reopening of the Middlewich railway line, a key business leader has said.

Philip Cox, chief executive of Cheshire and Warrington local enterprise partnership (LEP), was one of the stakeholders present at a meeting to discuss the railway line last Thursday – where it was confirmed consultants WSP would conduct a study on it.

At Friday’s local transport body meeting, he told members that the railway’s wider appeal for passengers in Cheshire and Greater Manchester could hold the key to finally seeing trains return to Middlewich.

“I think certainly the thing that came out for me from the meeting was the opportunities that the route offers to the wider community of Cheshire and Warrington,” he said.

“We did have someone on the stakeholder group representing Trafford, who said that the line could benefit people from as far as Timperley that could access Crewe if that line is opened up.

“I think what that does is potentially strengthen the case – this is not just a question of proving how many passengers there would be at Middlewich and Gadbrook Park, actually it’s got the potential to be much wider.”

Cllr Brian Clarke, cabinet member for economic development and infrastructure on Cheshire West and Chester Council, added that the link could also help improve connections from mid Cheshire to Stoke-on-Trent.