A campaign to urge East Midlands Railway to think again about dropping services on a key rail route through Staffordshire is bearing fruit.
As previously reported in Daily Focus, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce wrote to the train operating company expressing its dismay that the Crewe-Stoke-Derby (North Staffordshire Line) service was being permanently reduced in frequency.
This was despite reassurances to rail user groups that gaps in the hourly service were a temporary measure brought in during the Covid-19 pandemic. They were told that the full service would be reinstated once problems with driver recruitment and rolling stock had been addressed.
Backed by all local MPs, the business community and groups like the North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership, the Chamber pointed out why the reduced timetable proposals were a mistake.
The hard-hitting letter said that among other things the decision would make rail a less appealing transport option for workers, students and leisure passengers.
Now, East Midlands Railway has announced it is to restore peak weekday services to its timetable on the vital link from December 10th.
However, there is still work to do. The Chamber is continuing to push for the return of removed services on Saturday and the remaining missing weekday services.
An e-petition has been developed encouraging people to lend their support and campaign to restore all services.
Chamber Policy Adviser Declan Riddell said: “We see the Crewe-Stoke-Derby line as a vital rail artery, connecting the east and west of our region. This line will ultimately connect North Staffordshire with HS2 services feeding in and out of Crewe.
“So we’re delighted to see that the removed peak weekday services are now back on the timetable.
“But at the same time we continue to call for the restoration of some removed services on Saturdays and the remaining hourly missing services on weekdays.
“That is why we encourage members of the business community to sign the e-petition and express their desire to see a full restoration of services to the timetable.”
To sign the petition click here: https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/reinstate-the-hourly-crewe-stoke-derby-rail
