This page has the following main sections:

• 1. Scope of the Group
• 2. General Aims of the Group
• 3. Ways in which we are working to promote our aims
• 4. The Halton Curve Campaign
• 5. The Ellesmere Port - Helsby Line Campaign
• 6. Practical things that NCRUG has done/ is doing.
• 7. Newsletters & Meetings
• 8. Stations Projects
• 9. Liaison with Other Bodies including Links to Other web sites
• 10. How to become a Member of NCRUG

1. SCOPE

• TRAIN SERVICES: the following services                                        Train Operating Co
  1. (Llandudno -) Chester - Manchester via Warrington Bank Quay      Arriva Trains Wales
  2. Ellesmere Port - Helsby - Warrington Bank Quay - Liverpool Lime St   Northern Trains
  3. Chester - Runcorn Main Line via Frodsham and the Halton Curve        Northern Trains

   

• STATIONS:                                                                                          Station Operator
  1. FRODSHAM            (Live Departures Board at Frodsham)           Arriva Trains Wales
  2. INCE & ELTON       (Live Departures Board at Ince & Elton)             Northern Trains
  3. HELSBY                   (Live Departures Board for Helsby)             Arriva Trains Wales
  4. RUNCORN EAST    (Live Departures Board for Runcorn East)    Arriva Trains Wales
  5. STANLOW & THORNTON  (and Departures at Stanlow & Thornton)  Northern Trn
     
  6. and other stations, but only with respect to the services named above: e.g. Chester, Ellesmere Port, Warrington, Earlestown et cetera.

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2. GENERAL AIMS of NCRUG

• 1 To promote the use of the services and stations named in the Scope above. NCRUG believes that the use of local rail services should be encouraged both for environmental and social reasons.

• 2 To act as a communications channel between Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) and, where relevant, also with Northern Trains Trains (NT) and the customers of both these TOC's.

• 3 And where necessary to act as a communications channel between Network Rail and users of the local stations.

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3. WAYS NCRUG WORKS TO PROMOTE ITS AIMS

• 1 NCRUG holds regular meetings with ATW and Passenger Focus to discuss the train services and other related matters, e.g. station facilities; fares; availability of information.

• 2 NCRUG also liaises with Cheshire County Council Transport Co-ordination Department, Vale Royal, Ellesmere Port & Neston Borough Councils, and also the unitary authorities - Halton and Warrington Borough Councils. There is also liaison with Helsby Parish Council and Frodsham Town Council.

• 3 It campaigns for better services. NCRUG has been very concerned about the NT services to Ellesmere Port. [see 5 below], and has launched an initiative to see if the "Parry People Mover" concept is applicable to this service. 

• 4 It continues to campaign for a re-introduction of regular week-day services on the line from Frodsham Jn to Halton Jn, giving a service from Chester, Helsby & Frodsham to Runcorn and South Liverpool stations. As part of this NCRUG maintains a vigilant monitoring of the remaining Summer Saturdays Only service. Recently we have been encouraged by the developments concerning the re-activation of services over the Halton Curve [see 4 below].

• 5 It maintains good contacts with NT in Manchester, and strives to maintain good contacts with ATW in Chester, and where appropriate with ATW's head office in Cardiff. With help from Passenger Focus there is regular contact and communication with ATW and NT.

• 6 Because of its work with stations, NCRUG has become affiliated to ACoRP (The Association of Community Rail Partnerships).

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• 1 The principal reason that NCRUG came into existence was to campaign for the re-instatement of a proper through service over the Halton Curve. Back in the 1950's the principal services from Helsby and Frodsham were over this curve, with only a few trains each day to Manchester. The daily services were withdrawn in the 1970's, many of which had only gone as far as Helsby, not Chester. This left the summer Saturday service from North Wales to Liverpool, and then this was cut back to what we have now, a service going only in one direction as far as Runcorn (BR/Network Rail having taken the diamonds out at the junctions to save money,  leaving single lead junctions without crossovers).

• 2 A few years ago NCRUG drew a proposal regarding the reinstatement of the service over the "Halton Curve". This saw the advantage of a through service between Liverpool and North Wales, obviating the need to change at Chester, and giving a reduction in journey time of just over half an hour on a journey from Llandudno to Liverpool - as well as the benefits to residents in Frodsham and Helsby in once again having a through service to Liverpool.  This proposal was included both in Cheshire's Local Transport Plan. Halton Borough also had it in their Local Transport Plan. Halton BC is actively pursuing a new station at Beechwood on the Halton Curve. This would be close to the bus garage facilitating interchange with Runcorn's well-known busways and would allow a significant modal switch of traffic crossing the River Mersey.

• 3 We continue to press for proposed services over the Halton Curve, e.g. Bangor or Llandudno to Liverpool, and Cardiff to Liverpool via Shrewsbury, Wrexham, Chester and Runcorn. 

• 4 However the main difficulties with these ideas were: (a) a shortage of rolling stock: already many trains are only 2/3-car units and are overcrowded; (b) making the Halton Curve bi-directional, if not double line.

• 5 Then in the summer of 2004, the SRA let it be known that it proposed to close the line. The justification being given as the upgrade of the West Coast Main Line Liverpool branch, as part of the West Coast Route Modernisation (WCRM) project, having insufficient funding. This project includes re-signaling of the line, with the closure of Halton Junction signalbox. The SRA stated that it would cost £5.0 million to replace the junctions and upgrade the signaling, as against £0.5 million to remove the junctions, and that it didn't have sufficient money in the WCRM budget to cover this work. The track bed would be maintained. After considerable lobbying by Merseytravel (Merseyside PTE) and other local authorities concerned, the proposal has been withdrawn, and we await the outcome. In the midst of all this a letter from NCRUG's Chairman, John Hobbs, was published in RAIL Magazine ridiculing the SRA's decision, which prompted a response from Jim Steer of the SRA, with then a further response from John. To NCRUG it seems irrational to close this line when Liverpool John Lennon Airport is expanding, the Liverpool South Parkway station has been built, and millions are being spent on a feasibility study of how to build a new Runcorn-Widnes road bridge (the so-called "Mersey Second Crossing").

• 6 None of the above takes into account freight and other workings over the line. There has been regular ballast train workings, and the royal train continues to work regularly over the Halton Curve.

• 7 The last service in 2004, on 25 September - the 08.25 Chester - Runcorn had 102 passengers! Many of these then traveled back on a special vintage bus chartered by NCRUG. We await to a positive result by 2010.

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5. The ELLESMERE PORT - HELSBY LINE CAMPAIGN 

• 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.

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6. PRACTICAL THINGS NCRUG HAS DONE/IS DOING

• 1 NCRUG publishes local timetables and other information. It distributes ATW's timetables to local public libraries and issues the timetables at local stations.

•  2 NCRUG continues to strive for the re-development of proposals for improvements to Frodsham station, This is in conjunction with Frodsham Town Council, Vale Royal Borough Council, Cheshire County Council (which will soon be split into two authorities) and other parties. Unfortunately progress has been slow due to the lack of support from Network Rail's property division, Spacia. 

• 3 In 1997 NCRUG took on responsibility for the station gardens at Helsby. In 1999 the station was short listed in two of the finals categories for the Railtrack "Station of the Year Competition", but in 2000 won the "Most Passenger Friendly Unstaffed Station" award. Then in 2003 the station won the "Best Kept Station in Cheshire" Award. In 2001 a group from NCRUG started similar work at Frodsham station. In 2002, the town of Frodsham was entered in the "Northwest in Bloom" contest organised by the Tidy Britain Group. As part of this NCRUG planted over 1500 geraniums on Frodsham station, and the town won first prize in the "Small Market Town" category, and NCRUG was specially commended. Then, not to be outdone, in 2002 a group started work at Runcorn East. For further details, see below in section 7. 

• 4 NCRUG has consistently won prizes in the Best Kept Cheshire stations competition, at both Helsby and Frodsham, and so has featured in Cheshire Life magazine. Again in 2007 both stations won awards presented in January 2008.

• 5 NCRUG made comments to Railtrack/ Network Rail Property (Spacia) about the situation with the Grade II listed buildings at Helsby, which were not covered by the Railtrack Station Regeneration Programme in 1999. NCRUG maintained a contact with Railtrack NW Zone about the Station Regeneration Programme, the completion of the main part coincided with NCRUG's Open Day at Helsby. Comments were fed back to Railtrack, and as a result the area of platforms 2/3 to be resurfaced with new paving was extended to the whole platform area. In April 2001 the Railway Heritage Trust came to both Helsby and Frodsham to discuss with Spacia the possibility of grants for improvements to the buildings. As a consequence in August 2001 the chimney at the south end of the building on platforms 2/3 was repaired, and then in late 2002 both the signalbox and the old waiting room on the island platform were refurbished with support of grants from the Railway Heritage Trust. This project won a prize for railway restoration projects, and work has continued since to improve the situation.

• 6 NCRUG over a long period pressed Railtrack to bring platform 1 at Helsby "within gauge". It is more than half a metre below the train steps, and accidents have happened in the past with people falling. As a result Helsby was one of 116 stations surveyed by Raltrack in order to assist in developing its future policy on improvements to station platforms. We were told that Railtrack would carry out remedial work in 2002/3, but with the demise of Railtrack, nothing came of it, but we continue to press for improvement..

• 7 We have also discussed the matter of the car park at Helsby which is frequently full. In June 2000, Railtrack stated that work would be carried out during the current financial year. Unfortunately First North Western were only prepared to pay their part of the costs by introducing a parking charge scheme administered by contractors, with all that that would entail, e.g. wheel clamping. NCRUG said that this would aggravate the situation rather than improve it. Parking continues to be a problem,  and although the car park has been marked out, it would appear that an efficient plan was chosen; we continue to make representations.

• 8 As part of NCRUG's proposals for improvements to the facilities at Frodsham and Helsby stations, we proposed that the awning should be re-installed on Platform 1 at Helsby to provide a shelter.  The proposal was to be jointly funded by Railtrack out of their matched funding budget, Helsby Parish Council and Cheshire County Council. After an initial completion date of September 1998 as part of Railtrack's SRP programme, the awning (canopy) was eventually completed on 3 February 1999.

• 9 On 26 September 1998, NCRUG (in association with North Western Trains) held an Open Day at Helsby station. Over 500 people came: Many local people coming to the station for the first time in years. Many were surprised at the train services on offer. 

• 10 In May 2000, FNW decided to start charging the Chester - Liverpool via Warrington fare for those travelling from Helsby, rather than the one given in the fares manual. Apart from being very much more expensive, there were a lot of problems because the tickets were route specific. NCRUG held discussions with FNW, and the correct fare was re-instated.

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7. NCRUG NEWSLETTER & MEETINGS

• 1 The group publishes a newsletter four times a year.  This is distributed free to members of the group.

• 2 The group holds an AGM in October. This is usually held at a venue in Frodsham or Helsby.

• 3 Other meetings are held from to time to time as necessary. The committee meets monthly, usually on the third Tuesday of every month in the "Golden Lion" pub in Main Street, Frodsham at 1930. Observers are welcome by prior notification to the secretary.

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8. STATIONS PROJECTS

In June 1997 NCRUG concluded an agreement with FNW to take on the responsibility for the maintenance of the gardens at Helsby, and the group is now affiliated to the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) inter alia for insurance purposes.  This agreement and insurance is also valid for work on other stations, and in January 2001 the group started regular work at Frodsham, and then in 2002 also at Runcorn East. Subsequently insurance was provided by ATW as part of their Station Adopters scheme.

• 1 To bring about a greater awareness in the local communities of the train services available, and to get people back on to the trains.

• 2 We wished to demonstrate to the railway industry that we were seriously committed to the railway; we weren't just a "whingeing" group - a criticism levelled at some rail user groups.

• 3 The station gardens at Helsby were once the pride of the line, and it is our intention to make them so once again. With the work done by Network Rail and ATW we intend to make the local railway station a pleasant place to be, where waiting for the train will be enjoyable. This is also the aim at Frodsham. The gardens there are small, and the main problem has been vandalism and graffiti. Nevertheless it is our aim to have this station as also a place which the local community can be proud of and their railway station, and the intending passenger will feel comfortable. While there are no flower beds at Runcorn East, there is a lot of landscaping - shrubs, etc - which is now improved, and we continue to implement initiatives here.

• 4 Regular working parties are held at each of these three stations. If you would like to be involved, please contact us via the information given in section 10 below.

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