Two Years Without Sunday Trains - Congleton Campaigners Demand Action

Rail campaigners will gather at Congleton Station at 11am on Sunday 20th September to mark a frustrating milestone – two years since the last Sunday train stopped at Congleton.

Members of Congleton Train Users, local residents and councillors will come together to demand that Northern Trains finally resolves the long-running problems that have left the town effectively without a Sunday rail service.

For years, Sunday trains have been replaced by buses, and these replacement services are unreliable and sometimes fail to run at all, leaving passengers unable to depend on public transport on Sundays.

The underlying problem is a continuing industrial relations dispute over Sunday working and drivers’ pay and conditions. Campaigners say that whatever the complexities of resolving that dispute, passengers should not be expected to bear the consequences indefinitely.

Richard Eadie, rail industry expert and campaigner with Congleton Train Users, said:

“It is now two years since a Sunday train stopped at Congleton. Last year we gathered at the station to highlight what was already an unacceptable situation, and another whole year has passed without it being resolved.

“It’s interesting that significant investment is going on down the line at Kidsgrove, but Congleton - a busier station, with at least 50,000 more passengers per year, still doesn’t have a Sunday service.

“We understand that there are issues between Northern and its drivers over Sunday working and pay. But that dispute isn't the passengers' fault. It is Northern's responsibility to resolve it. Congleton has waited long enough.”

New rail services announced for neighbouring Alsager and Holmes Chapel will provide improved connections, including an hourly service between Birmingham New Street and Manchester Airport from May 2027, with both towns set to benefit. The planned changes will also improve Sunday frequency on the Crewe–Manchester Airport route.

Congleton Town Mayor Cllr Suzy Firkin said:

“I welcome the improvements being announced for Alsager and Holmes Chapel – people in those towns deserve good public transport. But so do the people of Congleton.

“Congleton should have a train service at least as good as our neighbouring towns. Instead, we have now gone two years without a Sunday train. We have met with Northern Trains and been assured they are trying to resolve the situation but seen no progress.

“Our Prime Minister showed a strong commitment to improving connectivity across the North during his time as Mayor of Manchester. I hope he can now use his position to bring the relevant parties together at the highest level and help resolve this.

“At a time when we are encouraging people to use public transport and leave their cars at home, having effectively no rail service for one day every week makes no sense. Northern needs to sort this out and give Congleton back our Sunday trains.”

Campaigners are inviting residents, rail users and supporters to join them at Congleton Station at 11am on Sunday 20 September to show the strength of local feeling.

Their message is simple: two years without a Sunday train is two years too long.

Protest: Sunday Trains for Congleton

Date: Sunday 20 September 2026

Time: 11am

Location: Congleton Railway Station

Pictured - Protesters on Congleton Station, with MP Sarah Russell 4th from left, in September 2025.