Publishing its North West Route Utilisation Strategy yesterday (1 May) Network Rail said it would not pursue, for the time being, the closure of Ardwick, Denton and Reddish South stations which was included in the draft RUS (Transport Briefing 13/11/06). However, the infraco says it will reconsider closure if the stations require significant amounts of money spending on them in the future.

Commenting on the decision, MP for Denton & Reddish Andrew Gwynne said: "This shows that Network Rail has taken on board the views of people in Reddish and Denton. The decision not to close our stations is the first step in our campaign to get a proper service into Manchester Victoria. Network Rail's wise decision has now made this a realistic possibility. I am now working with the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority to put forward a strong business case for this new service."

Network Rail's North West Route Utilisation Strategy sets out plans for meeting anticipated passenger and freight growth over the next 10 years. Short term plans to be implemented between now and 2009 include providing more peak capacity between Manchester and Liverpool with additional carriages on trains and longer platforms to accommodate them - particularly on the routes serving Manchester Victoria. Platform 'furniture' and some buildings on platforms 13/14 at Manchester Piccadilly and Salford Crescent will be removed to increase space for passengers and an additional Manchester to Preston hourly off peak service will be introduced and possibly extended to Blackpool. Network Rail also wants to develop park-and-ride interchanges at Guide Bridge and Newton-le-Willows.

Between 2009 and 2014 Network Rail expects the government to authorise up to 50 additional carriages to strengthen peak hour services on routes into Manchester and Liverpool, together with lengthening platforms where necessary to take 4-car trains. New platforms are proposed at Salford Central to allow Victoria to Liverpool services to call there, plus the relocation of Salford Crescent station to provide extra capacity for Bolton and Calder Valley services and offer improved interchange opportunities across central Manchester.

The infraco says it will investigate the case for electrification of the Manchester Victoria to Liverpool and Huyton to Wigan routes. These studies will be undertaken after the Department for Transport concludes its current consideration on electrification policy later this year. It also hopes to increase speeds across a number of junctions to the east of Manchester, and within the Glossop/Hadfield triangle, to improve performance.

In the long term, beyond 2014, Network Rail is looking at further expansions of train capacity between Manchester and Liverpool, lengthened platforms, improvements in freight capacity on routes serving Trafford Park, faster maximum speed on the Atherton line and building an interchange facility with Metrolink at Cornbrook or White City.

Route director Peter Strachan said: "This RUS broadly covers the Manchester journey-to-work area. We published a draft in November and invited key sections of the business community and local authorities to tell us what they thought of our proposals. We have listened to what they told us and looked again at some of the calculations to produce something the whole rail industry and everyone involved in it can work towards over the next 10 years."

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Reddish station back on track

Stockport Express: 2nd May 2007

PLANS to shut Reddish South Railway Station have been scrapped by rail bosses.

Under the proposals Network Rail had planned the closure of both Reddish and Denton stations in draft route utilisation strategy published late last year. It is understood that Network Rail will scrap the closure plan officially on Friday.
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The about-turn follows a concerted campaign led by Reddish MP Andrew Gwynne, ward councillors and hundreds of residents who protested against the move.

Andrew Gwynne MP said: "This is a tremendous victory for common sense. While the stations are little-used today, there is an enormous opportunity to introduce better services along this route and help to cut down on traffic congestion. Obviously, had Network Rail gone ahead with its closures, then this opportunity would have been missed."

"I would like to thank Network Rail for listening to our arguments, and for the help I have received from councillors in Stockport and the massive support from local people. Without their help and dedication, we just could not have taken our case to the highest levels of government."

During the campaign a petition signed by local residents was handed in to Parliament.

Mr Gwynne is now working closely with GMPTE to draw up a proper set of proposals for a service into Manchester Victoria. Early indications show that it could be possible to introduce such a service in time for the 2008 timetable changes, with a 20 minute service from Reddish South and a 13 minute service from Denton into the heart of the city centre. A detailed business case is now being prepared as part of the Transport Innovation Fund bid.

Coun Brian Millard, leader of Stockport Council, said: "This is fantastic news for the local community who have fought with us to save South Reddish Station. As a member of the North West Regional Assembly I was able to put pressure on Network Rail to drop their proposal for closure, and with cross-party support, our lobby sent a clear message; the people of Reddish want to improve, not weaken public transport. This is just the start of our campaign and we will continue to work with Network Rail to expand passenger services and make this station a viable transport link to Manchester Victoria and Salford Central."