Campaigners working towards improving transport links in the North and politicians have all welcomed the Chancellor's Autumn Budget and Spending Review which included plans to invest in restoring passenger services on a forgotten South to Mid Cheshire rail link.

The rail plans - which if come to fruition could see direct services between Crewe-Sandbach-Middlewich-Northwich - are part of the government's £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund, which will also see £232 million delivered to twelve projects, including the regeneration of Liverpool's docks and the renovation of Bury Market.

Included in the spending package announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak last week was a package of £50,000 made through the Restoring Your Railway 'Ideas Fund' to develop proposals to reinstate passenger links on three North West region routes, including restoring a station at Middlewich which closed in 1960.

Congleton MP, Fiona Bruce MP told Nub News: "I am thrilled by this announcement.

"This funding is crucial to driving forward plans for Middlewich Railway Station.

"It has been an issue I have worked on locally with residents and in Parliament since the moment I became MP for Middlewich in 2010 and this is another step forward into securing the rail connectivity Middlewich should have."

Cheshire East councillor for Sandbach Ettiley Heath and Wheelock, Cllr Laura Crane, vice chair of the council's Highways and Transport committee said: "Any chance to improve public transport links should be welcomed, given the climate goals we must all work towards.

"Once the plans have been fully worked up I will be able to say more about their impact on Sandbach and look forward to the time when I can do so."

Transport for the North, a partnership between public and private sector representatives, also welcomed the £50,000 set aside for the project.

A spokesperson said: "This is one of the early-stage proposals under the Restoring Your Railway 'Ideas Fund' to reinstate passenger rail links on the Northwich to Sandbach route.

"The proposal is in our Investment Programme and has the support of Transport for the North and we hope this funding will allow the proposal to be further developed."