The Group

The North Cheshire Rail Users’ Group (NCRUG) was established back in 1992 when the section of railway line connecting Helsby and Frodsham with Liverpool via Runcorn, known as the ‘Halton Curve’, was faced with complete closure. Thanks to the intervention of NCRUG the line was saved, although some signalling and track equipment was removed meaning trains could only operate in one direction; towards Liverpool without the ability to return. Meanwhile the line was sustained by a weekly service operated under an act of Parliament, the ‘Parliamentary’, which ceased operations in 2017 when work commenced on upgrading the track and signalling to allow two-way operations again. There is much more detail under History of the Halton Curve.

In May 2019 came the momentous day when, after a campaign lasting nearly 30 years, two-way passenger services gave the residents of Helsby and Frodsham a direct rail connection with Liverpool, taking some 35 minutes from Frodsham to Lime St.

Since the success of the Halton Curve, NCRUG has shifted its primary campaign to supporting the extension of Merseyrail services beyond Ellesmere Port towards Warrington using the new Stadler Class777 units with battery power. Additionally, we still keep a close eye on the needs of the passenger and rail services in the area covering the region from Ellesmere Port and Chester to Runcorn and Warrington. Not to be omitted is the group’s involvement with Liverpool South Parkway: The station, which forms a terminus with the Merseyrail network and connects by road to Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) was run as a parallel campaign to the Halton Curve. NCRUG still retains a place on the LJLA Transport Committee and lobbies for improved services between the Station, the Airport and City Centre.

NCRUG enjoys a good level of engagement and actively works with Transport for Wales, Northern, Avanti, Cheshire West and Chester Council, the Liverpool City Region (Metro) not to mention supporting the work and campaigns of surrounding rail user groups and passenger associations. NCRUG currently has a position on the management group of the North Cheshire Community Rail Partnership and as a member of Railfuture we get our campaigns and achievements recognised nationally.

The group is formed exclusively of volunteers but we need your support to continue to monitor, campaign and lobby for improvements for the rail user. Committee meetings are every 2 months or as business needs to be transacted, members get regular newsletters and updates and (while stocks last) new members a free coffee mug.

If you would like to get on board, please email chairman@ncrug.org.uk