The east-Cheshire town of Knutsford is looming as a key player in the calls for improvements to rail links in the area, with better promotion of the Mid Cheshire line seen as one badly in need of more comprehensive promotion says a rail partnership organisation.

The Mid Cheshire line, which runs from Cheshire to Manchester, has been in operation since the 19th centrury and services many small settlements on the route which is also known as the Cheshire via Altricham line and Manchester via Stockport line.

Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership group spokesperson Sally Buttifant outlined plans for improvements at the Knutsford site during a meeting at the local council offices in early December. Buttifant bluntly stated that without additional promotion the services would likely not improve, highlighting the need for greater awareness and efficiency of the Knutsford stop which she claims is an important stop along the route.

Knutsford station has been experiencing crowding problems, especially at peak times when it is very much a case of standing room only. The station also serves the local township which Buttifant claims would greatly benefit through the promotion of local attractions and more practical services such as shopping. Her stated aim in to not just make rail travel more attractive but to entice visitors to Cheshire, with Knutsford an ideal location to showcase the area. Plans have been mooted to increase community involvement with the station with local high-school student interest also considered as part of a ‘friends of the station’ drive.

Elsewhere, councillors have said that line reliability was also in need of improvement as rubbish on platforms and train cancellations impact the local community as a destination.