A CAMPAIGN to save Crewe's historic railway station has received the backing of transport groups, union bosses and local politicians.

Crewe Rail Environment and Manufacture (CREAM) are calling on Network Rail to set a timetable for public consultation on their plans for the terminal.

Major plans to revamp the station have been put on ice following proposals by Network Rail to build a new rail terminal at Basford.

But campaigners insist the plans would be devastating for the local economy on Nantwich Road and for the thousands of passengers who use the current station.

Despite being banned from campaigning on the station the group's members have been busy delivering leaflets and talking to residents about the issue.

Group chairman and borough councillor Roy Cartlidge said that the station is used by more than 6,000 people every day and generates half a million pounds worth of trade each year for firms in the Nantwich Road area.

General secretary of the RMT Bob Crow said: "The RMT stands shoulder to shoulder with our campaigners in Crewe who are defending the industry for the public and the members.

"It’s having the desired effect of opening debate on this issue."

Andy Warnock-Smith RMT regional organiser for the Northwest added: "Network Rail’s plans will not only effect the regeneration of the Nantwich Road area, but will downgrade the station to a park and ride hub, diminishing its importance as a strategic interchange on the UK rail network.”

Chris Dale of the Campaign for Better Transport said: "The proposal to move Crewe station is purely for operational convenience and will not improve access to the railway for the thousands of passengers who use the station daily. "Contrary to Network Rail's view that Crewe is just an interchange station, the figures show that almost two million passengers start or finish their journeys at Crewe every year and this figure is rising.”

Labour's prospective Parliamentary candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, David Williams said he is fully behind the campaign for a modernised Crewe terminal in its current location.

He said: "It is absurd to move the railway station two miles down the line and place it in the middle of fields. Railway stations belong in towns.

"Crewe needs a modernised station with better access and improved parking facilities.

"Crewe was built by the railways and then Crewe built the railways. We would feel cheated if land once earmarked for a freight terminal linked to the Channel Tunnel was used to deprive the town of its railway station.

"Network Rail should end the speculation now. Commit to the existing railway station and revisit the proposal for a freight terminal in Basford."

Brian Simpson MEP for the North West of England said: "The regeneration of Crewe Railway Station is an issue that is not just confined to the railway but involves the whole area.

"Any new station investment has to be on the present site and not one based miles from the town of Crewe."

A spokesman for Network Rail said nothing would be decided on the issue until after proper consultation.

The campaign group will meet on Saturday at The Royal Hotel on Nantwich Road from 11am.