Service operators North Western Trains this week promised to ensure its trains run on time.

Rail regulator Optraf had threatened to withdraw the franchise if North Western Trains didn't improve services after a summer of discontent for frustrated commuters.

But next week they will respond with details of a new depot in Chester, 60 drivers in training and 56 more conductors than a year ago.

"It was a very poor service," said company spokesman David Berry.

"But we have taken action and this has seen a turnaround."

Delays, cancellations and 'missing' trains - blamed by rail unions on staff cuts - forced North Western Trains to draw up the recovery plan.

But Optraf this week said its investigation was not sparked by problems on the Cheshire line which led to the action.

"There were problems," said an Optraf spokesman.

"But they were not bad enough to constitute a breach of contract."

Instead, it was a run of cancelled trains in and out of Oldham which made Optraf step in.

But the improvements will be felt across the region.

"The whole operation has been criticised," said Andrew Macfarlane of the Mid-Cheshire Rail Users Group.

"The line through Knutsford has been bad, particularly through the summer."

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