CONGLETON rail travellers have formed their own action group to fight for a better train service for the town.

The East Cheshire Line Rail Users Group is looking to press train companies into laying on more trains and improving the service in general.

The group was formed on Tuesday at a meeting attended by dozens of disgruntled rail travellers, the majority from Congleton.

"We aim to put pressure on the rail companies who operate between Manchester and Stoke to do something to improve the service,'' said group secretary John Stein, from Brunswick Street, Congleton.

"The train service from Congleton was reduced around 1994 from every hour between 6am and 10pm to 13 a day.

"The trains are concentrated before 9.30am and after 5.30pm, with just three southbound Manchester to Stoke trains which stop at Congleton in between in eight hours, which is disgusting.

"Congleton has a population of 25,000, and should have an hourly train service between Stoke and Manchester.''

The newly-created group will also be pressing for improvements to the facilities at Congleton train station.

"We want what's best for Congleton, and will be looking at better integration with other transport,'' said Mr Stein, who worked for 20 years as a train guard.

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