RAIL users and residents living along the Mid Cheshire line that serves Northwich and its surrounding villages can fill out an online survey – or write a letter – in a bid to get more trains passing through the area.

In June, the Cheshire and Warrington Local Transport Body (CWLTB) recommended it would lobby Rail North – an organisation looking after the renewal of the Northern and Transpennine Express franchises – and the Department of Transport in a bid to get a half-hourly service running along the line.

The line covers Northwich, Cuddington, Greenbank, Delamere and Lostock, and is popular with commuters heading to Chester and Manchester.

However, the service is currently every hour and trains in peak times are often overcrowded.

The Guardian, in conjunction with the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership, is pushing for residents to lobby the Government by sending an email, or filling out a survey, ahead of the Northern Rail franchise renewal that begins in 2016.

We want readers to fill out the survey, or send an email, saying there is a need for a 30-minute service.

It is important that the views are submitted, so they can be written into the new franchise agreement.

At present, 400,000 passengers use the service in Northwich and Greenbank.

The community rail partnership wants a 30-minute service that would stop at the busiest stations, including Northwich, Greenbank and Knutsford.

To register your wishes for the Mid Cheshire line, visit the webpage here and follow the link that takes you to the Department of Transport web page. From there, you will have the chance to download the consultation document.

After reading through it, fill out the survey by clicking here, or email your comments about the Mid Cheshire line to NorthernTPEconsultation2014@dft.gsi.gov.uk.

Alternatively, you can write a letter, stating the need for more trains on the line, to Northern TPE Consultation Co-ordinator, Department for Transport, 4/15 Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR.

The closing dates for comments, including the survey, is August 18.