© Chris Ellams & NCRUG 2010

   * 1 Prior to the Merseyrail Electric service being extended to Ellesmere Port in the mid-1990s,  there had been a good service on this line, which was reasonably well used. However after the electrification there was a 2-hourly service through to Liverpool via Warrington, that alternated with one from Chester. That lasted about a year, since when there has been the present very inadequate service of two trips morning and evening; each trip being half an hour apart.

 

   * 2 NCRUG drew up a proposal for reinvigorating the service. This was a through service from Hooton to Manchester, and was published at the end of 1998. Throughout 1999 discussions were held with FNW. A partnership of NCRUG, Ellesmere Port & Neston Borough Council, Cheshire County Council and the Members of Parliament for Ellesmere Port and Weaver Vale was formed to promote this. Unfortunately nothing came of this plan.

 

   * 3 There is much housing and industry along the line which provide opportunities for train service development. Unfortunately the TOC, Northern Rail, are reluctant to take this on, largely constrained by the way funding is determined through their franchise agreement.

 

    * 4 Following the success of the use of the Parry People Mover (PPM) on the Stourbridge Junction - Stourbridge Town shuttle (see Parry's web site for details), NCRUG invited Mr Parry of Parry Associates to address the possibility of using such a vehicle on the Helsby - Ellesmere Port shuttle. As well as addressing NCRUG's AGM in October 2007, a party from NCRUG together with Mr Parry undertook a trip on the line. Mr Parry's view was that the line would be suitable for operation by the machines developed by Parry Associates since the length, gradients and traffic potential were appropriate.

 

   * 5 NCRUG has taken up this initiative (the use of a PPM) with local stakeholders, councils and the TOC. It is thought that the project would require an investment in the order of £2.4M. NCRUG will continue to pursue this as a viable alternative to the present desultory service which would be cheap to operate and give a usable frequent service.

 

   * 6 The NCRUG committee hopes to make a visit to Stourbridge to see a PPM vehicle in operation; and then again when new vehicles begin operating over the line in December 2008.