A CAMPAIGN to reopen a rail link that would connect Knutsford with Crewe is gathering support from across Cheshire.

The Middlewich Rail Link Campaign has received backing from Eddisbury MP Antoinette Sandbach, who is the latest to add her name to the list of campaign supporters.

The Middlewich rail link line, which if reopened would run between Crewe and Northwich via Middlewich, linking the Crewe to Manchester line with the Mid-Cheshire Line.

The linking railway line, which is used only for freight trains at present, runs through six Parliamentary constituencies including a small part of Tatton, giving campaigners hope that more Members of Parliament will show their support.

Antoinette Sandbach has confirmed that she is well behind the reopening of the line for passenger trains saying it is ‘necessary for sustainable transport.’

She said: “This rail link is necessary for effective local sustainable transport into Manchester and is a project which has the support of many local MP’s including me.”

Campaigners say support has been pouring in from political figures across the region and say that having a line covering so many different constituencies is proving to be a huge bonus for the fight to reopen the line and Middlewich Rail Station.

Campaign secretary, Cllr Samantha Moss, said: “This campaign is so strong that all the MPs along the route now support it. Not just that but the political support comes from all parties. Independent councillors from three different towns support the campaign, as does the Green Party in Altrincham. Young Labour are supporters too.

“The economic growth that the line reopen will attract to the region has the potential to create more jobs and attract new businesses, allowing once again for residents across Cheshire to shop in other areas, all this and the significant ease in traffic congestion, a topic that is high on the list of many of the mentioned constituencies.”