Station preservation group praised by Stockport MP

A station preservation group whose volunteers work to improve and enhance a 170-year-old station have been recognised in Parliament by the Stockport MP.

In an Early Day Motion (EDM), a parliamentary tool used to highlight a particular issue and gain supportive signatories of fellow Members of Parliament, Navendu Mishra praised the

efforts of the Friends of Heaton Chapel Station, whose work over the past decade has helped maintain the historic station.

The motion, which has to date been signed by six MPs in addition to Mr Mishra, stated the following:

That this House applauds the work of the Friends of Heaton Chapel Station in Stockport, whose volunteers have worked tirelessly to promote and improve the rail station and its surroundings since 2011; Recognises the significance of such volunteer groups and the important role they perform in community life; Acknowledges the recent 10-year anniversary of the Friends of Heaton Chapel Station, which was marked by the unveiling of a plaque recognising their efforts; Congratulates them on winning the 2020 Best Kept Cheshire Station Award; Praises their continued efforts to maintain and upkeep one of Stockport borough’s historic landmarks; Pays tribute to Friends of Heaton Chapel Station’s chairman Phil Rowbotham for organising and leading the volunteer effort; Commends the sponsors for providing vital funds to enable such work to take place; Calls on Network Rail to deliver much-needed and long-overdue disabled access improvements, including tactile tiles on both platforms; Looks forward to many more successful years of the Friends group and the ongoing improvements to the station which enhance the experience of all rail users.

Speaking about the EDM, Mr Mishra said:

“The Friends of Heaton Chapel Station is an incredible group of volunteers whose tireless efforts allow myself and other commuters to enjoy this historic Stockport landmark in all its glory. I was honoured to have recently unveiled a plaque in the station to mark their ten-year anniversary

“I was also delighted that they were recognised last year when they won the 2020 Best Kept Cheshire Station Award.

“The volunteers are a credit to the local community and make me and many other Stopfordians proud to live in Stockport.”

The full list of EDM signatories can be found here: https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/58840.