Sunday train services finally set to return to Congleton as two-year dispute comes to an end
By Matthew Hancock-Bruce 9th Nov 2026
Sunday trains are returning to Congleton.
Northern has confirmed a 'landmark agreement' has been reached with conductors and the RMT Union that will allow the rail operator to restore more Sunday services in the North West.
From Sunday, November 15, five trains in each direction will be reintroduced on the Manchester to Stoke line.
Warrick Dent, chief operating officer at Northern, said: "This is great news for the seven-day railway and a real step forward in the modernisation of Northern services across the North West.
"We're gonna start introducing services gradually over the winter to support the Christmas markets and, of course, priority on lines such as Clitheroe and Stoke which haven't seen any services for just over two years, and we will build that up over the coming weeks and months.
"I just want to say a thank you to customers for baring with us and for showing their patience.
"A really big thank you to everybody who's worked tirelessly behind the scenes to get this agreement and get this deal done.
"It's a fantastic, groundbreaking moment for us in modernising a seven-day railway for customers in the North West of England."
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