Efforts to reintroduce Sunday train services in Congleton appear to have taken a positive step forward.

The Deputy Mayor Suzy Firkin and councillor Kay Wesley recently met with Northern Trains to receive an update on the status of discussions with the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT).

These discussions are aimed at enabling the resumption of Sunday train services, replacing the current and often unreliable rail replacement bus service.

While Northern have not yet received formal feedback from RMT, they are said to be 'optimistic' that their proposal will be received favourably.

If an agreement is reached, the restoration of formally scheduled Sunday services at Congleton will be among the priorities.

Councillor Firkin said: "We recognise that there is no single solution to resolve all of these issues.

"However, by maintaining an open channel of communication with Northern Trains and CrossCountry, we can ensure that Congleton residents have a voice and that we begin to understand how barriers to improved services can be removed, helping to influence the future rail strategy for our town."

The meeting, which took place on Thursday, March 5, also discussed other factors affecting the provision of a comprehensive seven-day rail service for Congleton.

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These included the potential for CrossCountry trains to stop at Congleton, as they have done previously, and the limited availability of late evening Saturday services due to Network Rail maintenance access requirements.

During the meeting, it was also confirmed that the current ticket office closure at Congleton Station is only temporary while maintenance work is carried out to repair a leaking roof.

Also in attendance were local rail campaigner Richard Eadie and a representative from the parliamentary office of Sarah Russell, the MP for Congleton.

Mrs Russell recently met with the Secretary of State for Transport to raise many of the issues brought up at last week's meeting.