On Saturday 26th January 2008, Andrew Gwynne MP joined up with almost 50 local residents from Reddish and Denton and members of the Friends of Reddish South Station to mark twelve months since Network Rail's proposals to close Reddish South and Denton train stations was announced.

(Pictured left: Andrew Gwynne MP, Cllr Tom Grundy, and Andy Verdeille meet up with other local residents at Reddish South station)

The celebration was marked by travelling on the infamous 'ghost train' service to Stalybridge station, accompanied by a local folk band.  At Stalybridge the group enjoyed 'real ale' and traditional food such as home-made steak pie and black peas, at the historic Stalybridge station buffet bar.

Due to the high profile campaign led by Andrew Gwynne MP, local councillors in Tameside and Stockport, GMPTE, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the Friends Group and hundreds of local residents, Network Rail had backed away from their original closure proposal. 

However, the campaign focus is now on securing a proper functioning train service into Manchester Victoria.

(right: some of the Friends of Reddish South on board the train)

The two stations are still only served by the weekly 'ghost train' service - a parliamentary procedure to keep the line open - with only one train from Stockport to Stalybridge, once a week, and only in one direction!

(left: the folk band playing on the train)

Addressing to the Friends Group at Stalybridge Station buffet bar, Andrew Gwynne thanked them for their commitment and hard work over the last year and added: "It is testament to this group and all those who worked so hard behind the scenes last year that we are able to celebrate the retention of the ghost train service and our two local stations.  Let's hope that our campaign for a proper train service succeeds and that at some stage in the future we can travel on the first of many regular trains from Reddish South and Denton, but next time we'll celebrate in Victoria buffet bar!"

After the event, Andrew Gwynne said: "This has been a fantastic day, with almost 50 people catching the train, I expect it has been their busiest day for quite some time. I joked that Reddish and Denton had invaded Stalybridge!  But what better way is there to celebrate the success of the first stage of our campaign - the retention of our two stations - by listening to folk music and enjoying traditional ale and food at Stalybridge's famous station buffet bar?"

(Right: our arrival at Stalybridge train station)

"I seriously believe that a frequent train service from Reddish South and Denton into Manchester Victoria makes real sense, and given the proposals for road charging alongside public transport improvements, this is just the service we need as part of those improvements, taking local residents off the congested local roads and swiftly into the heart of the city centre where many of them work, shop and also enjoy some of their leisure time".