PUPIL power has seen Northern Rail introduce a new scheme to enable school cyclists to get on and off their trains more easily.

Northern Rail was horrified when they had complaints from boys from St Ambrose College in Hale Barns, who had been prevented from getting on trains on icy winter mornings at Knutsford station.

Cyclist Kieran Greaves, aged 13, said: “One morning we were left waiting on the platform for an hour and a half as the conductor simply refused to let us get on with our bikes.”

Northern Rail conductor manager Rob Edwards said: “We were horrified by the children’s account and have therefore introduced a new card scheme to make life easier for both the young cyclists and the conductors. It gives them priority and also means we can contact parents if trains are going to be late.”

Mr Edwards added: “It¹s the first scheme of its kind and we hope to sign up as many cyclists as possible. We want to develop positive relationships with all our customers and we believe this clearly shows our intent.”

Sally Buttifant Mid Cheshire community rail officer, who looks after the Chester to Manchester line, which passes through Hale, where the boys get off to cycle to extra mile to their school on Wicker Lane, Hale Barns, said: “We wanted to work with St. Ambrose to encourage their boys to continue to use bikes and not to be put off by any negative experience. Cycling is sustainable and healthy and using both the train and their bikes is the perfect combination.”

St Ambrose College headmaster Michael Thompson said: “This a great example of a big institution responding innovatively to their customers’ needs and we are delighted to be the first school signed up to this intelligent new partnership.”