It has been reported that plans to reopen a railway station right here in the heart of The Sandstone Ridge and which has been closed since April 1966, have moved a step closer.

The proposal to reinstate 'Beeston Castle and Tarporley Railway Station' (originally opened in 1840) has made the shortlist for Government funding, which would be used to help pay for transport and economic studies as well as creating a business case.

It is one of 50 bids from across England and Wales which have been submitted for consideration by an expert panel who will announce which ten have been successful by the end of the summer (fingers crossed).

The Department for Transport is set to fund 75% of costs up to £50,000 of successful proposals, with future funding to develop projects subject to agreement of the business case.

The proposal to reinstate 'Beeston Castle and Tarporley Railway Station' is being spearheaded by railway construction professional and local resident Michael Flynn, with the support of our local Eddisbury MP, Edward Timpson.

The 'Beeston and Tarporley Station Reopening' Facebook Group will provide updates on the plans, and believes they have put forward a 'compelling case'.

In the bid submitted to the Department for Transport the group envisages that the Transport For Wales rail services would stop at the new station, providing 23 services a day to Chester from Monday to Saturday, and 25 to Crewe (24 on a Saturday). On Sunday there would be 28 services to Chester and 27 to Crewe.

Beeston Castle and Tarporley Railway Station closed as a result of what became known as the 'Beeching Cuts' under the 'Reshaping of the British Railways'.