Halton Curve Campaign

29th February 2020

The North Cheshire Rail Users Group was last night officially recognised for 30 years hard work saving and preserving the Halton Curve for future rail use.

The John Hobbs Award was given to the group and is a fitting tribute to a well respected member of the team who did so much to see services restored to the line.

The rail service from Chester to Liverpool Lime Street was withdrawn in May 1975.

In 1990 the North Cheshire Rail Users Group was formed to try and prevent the final closure of the Halton Curve.

The group succeeded twice in stopping the line being ripped up and in the early 2000's stopped Railtrack (Network Rail) from selling the line to the local highways to extend the adjacent road over the trackbed.

The group took their campaign to the House of Commons and in October 2014 George Osbourne awarded 10 Million pounds of funding to redevelop the line.

The project took 4 years to complete and the final total for reinstating the line was over 20 Million. Passenger services resumed on the line on the 19th May 2019 after a gap of 45 years.

NCRUG are feeling incredibly proud after last nights awards recognition.

After the evening Cllr Liam Jones, the Mayor of Frodsham said:

"It was a great win for both Frodsham and North Cheshire Rail Users Group.
“This group has worked tremendously hard and have been successful with securing funding from government, with Graham Evans help, to reopen this line that connects to Liverpool and Wales.
“NCRUG will soon be celebrating their 30th birthday and I'd personally like to thank everyone who has been involved, past and present.”

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