We are delighted to announce that Glossop Station was given a Highly Commended in the Best Small Station in the UK category on Thursday 17th September. Attended by over 1300 people in the rail industry the prestigious event was held in the Grosvenor Park Hotel, Park Lane, London. Shortlisted in the section were Bures in East Anglia, Grange over Sands, Glossop, Orrell Park in Merseyside and Moorthorpe in South Yorkshire. Orrell Park was awarded frist place and Glossop and Bures were given Highly Commended. A real accolade for us and we thank Northern for entering the station into this major competition!
Theo McLauchlan, Northern's Glossop Line Manager, was quick to congratulate and to thank everyone at Glossop for making the station an attractive one and for securing investment in its facilities. It's a much appreciated pat on the back and we thank the Rail Awards' organisers and judges for this Highly Commended award - a real fillip to the team work that takes place at Glossop Station!!

The continuing controversies over the possible withdrawal of the 323 electric units from the Glossop Line were raised in the House of Commons in Prime Minister's Question Time by Andrew Bingham High Peak MP on September 9th. Andrew sought assurances from The Prime Minister that his constituents in Glossop and Hadfield would not be affected by rolling stock changes from the start of the new Northern franchise in April 2016. In his reply David Cameron did not allude directly to the 323 issue instead focusing on the commitment to improve rail services in the north from the start of the new franchise. The full detail of the question and reply can be accessed on Andrew Bingham's website and also in the current edition -17th September- of the Glossop Chronicle.

We appreciate that Andrew is keeping the 323 issue high profile especially as local travellers are becoming increasingly concerned about the implications of possible changes to rolling stock and timetables.

 Further down the Glossop Line, Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds, has started a petition to keep the 323's - launched at Newton station on Friday 18th September - contact his office if you wish to add your name. The petition has already secured over 500 signatures.

 We will strive to keep everyone in the picture with developments.

Tomorrow Monday 21st September the High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership meets in Bamford at 10am and the 323 issue is on the agenda. On Tuesday 22nd September Friends of Glossop station meet at 7.30 pm where again the 323 issue will be discussed.

We welcome your responses to this issue!