The Petition of residents of Middlewich and the surrounding area,
Declares that the Petitioners call for and fully support the reopening of the Sandbach to Northwich branch line to passenger traffic and the vital reopening of Middlewich railway station.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Department for Transport to consider the reopening of the Sandbach to Northwich branch line to passenger traffic and the reopening of Middlewich railway station
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented byFiona Bruce, Official Report, 20 March 2013; Vol. 560, c. 1032.]
[P001158]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport:
The Government’s policy on the reopening of railway lines and stations is that it is for the local authorities to determine whether a local rail scheme is the best way to meet local transport needs and is a priority for them. If it is, the local authorities would need to identify funding for both the capital costs and any subsidy cost which a new service would require for at least the first three years.
I support the reopening of stations where it is feasible to do so and, therefore, the Department for Transport would be prepared to provide advice to the local authorities should they wish to consider this scheme for further development.