A train operator who suspended rail services in the town has performed a U-turn and announced the return of hourly services to and from Alsager from mid-May as part of an "improved" timetable.

East Midlands Railway (EMR) decided to suspend almost all its services for passengers at Alsager from 7th September.

Alsager town councillors felt that East Midlands Railway had taken the decision to "save time" by missing out Alsager on their routes.

However, East Midlands Railway hit back and claimed that it was not about "saving time", but it was rather about protecting performance which had been "historically poor" on this line.

Residents, councillors and community groups lobbied East Midlands Trains urging them to reverse their decision to remove hourly trains stopping at Alsager from Monday to Saturday.

All the hard work campaigning has paid off after the train operator announced the return of hourly services to and from Alsager from 16th May in an "improved" timetable.

An East Midlands Railway spokesperson told Nub News: "On Sunday 16th May, we are introducing an improved timetable right across the East Midlands. This provides more seats, quicker journeys and a simpler and more resilient timetable.

"Between Crewe and Derby, this includes the return of hourly services to and from Alsager as well as the introduction of direct services to Nottingham and Newark Castle.

"The new timetable will feature the phased introduction of our Class 170 trains which offer significant upgrades over the current fleet – including improved braking and acceleration, wider doors closer to the middle of the carriage making it easier for passengers to get on and off as well as a more accessible layout.

"In due course, the Class 170's are also due to be significantly refurbished, including upgrades such as the introduction of power sockets, improved CCTV, enhanced information systems and better toilet interiors."

North Staffs Community Rail Partnership had urged local passengers to voice how they had been affected by the service cuts in their continued quest to pressure East Midlands Railway (EMR) into reinstating services.

Whilst campaigning for Alsager's service to be reinstated, the rail partnership put copies of a poster in the two community poster cases at Alsager Station.

They wanted the posters to be seen by anybody who had "given up" on the service since the East Midlands Railway withdrawal.

Responding to East Midlands Railway's announcement, a North Staffs CRP spokesperson said on social media: "Really good news - EMR will be reinstating its service to Alsager in the new timetable.

"Many thanks to everyone who supported our campaign for this to happen."