The lack of Sunday train services calling at Congleton has been described as an "unacceptable failure" by local councillors. Passengers currently have no direct rail options on Sundays, instead relying on replacement buses from Macclesfield or Stoke-on-Trent to reach their destinations.

More than 700 people have signed a petition calling for Sunday services to be reinstated, and a report has urged Congleton Town Council to support the campaign. The council is due to discuss the issue at a meeting on Thursday, with the report noting that the town has been without Sunday trains for more than a year, making weekend travel from Congleton "all but impossible".

The current replacement bus service runs six times in each direction on Sundays, but the report highlights that the journeys are “significantly less efficient” than by rail. Councillors are expected to request a meeting with Northern and use the council’s platforms to raise awareness of the petition.

A spokesperson for Northern said: "Getting to a place where we are no longer reliant on conductors in the north west volunteering to work Sundays remains a priority. We've made good progress in talks with the union and are looking to reach an agreement, through a successful referendum with conductors. We will keep the timetable under review and look to restore as many services as possible, as quickly as possible, for customers."

Image: Northern Rail