A NEW name is on the scene when it comes to making sure a railway station gets the best it can – MORAG.
This is not a hostile takeover of operations at Mossley, far from it.
Instead it is the new moniker for the group wanting to make the most of what is there and make it even better.
Known for many years as Friends of Mossley Station (FOMS), the organisation has been campaigning for improved services and facilities for commuters.
Under its new title, its aims are the same but it better reflects the work of the volunteer group, and brings it in line with Greenfield Rail Action Group (GRAG) and Slaithwaite and Marsden Action on Rail Transport (SMART).
Those groups, which serve four train stations, sit under the umbrella of the Stalybridge to Huddersfield Rail User Group (SHRUG).
And MORAG’s aims are simple – two trains per hour, peak and off-peak, improved reliability, disabled access and inclusion in the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) works to electrify and re-signal the section of the track between Stalybridge and Huddersfield.
Changes have recently been made at Mossley Station in the form of new artwork being put in place after the town’s Global Grooves attracted funding.
Now a new group – which will be called FOMS as Friends of Mossley Station is no longer used – headed up by Sarah Hardacre, of Global Grooves, will adopt Mossley Station and take responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of the station facilities.
Andrea Waterhouse, of MORAG, outlined where members of the public can help the newly-named group.
She said: “Before the pandemic hit, campaigning for improved services had been reasonably successful.
“All three Rail User Groups (RUGs) had raised awareness of key joint issues along with issues at their individual stations, and, through regular meetings, had gained respect from the Train Operating Companies.
“Andy Burnham in particular is very supportive of our campaigns, in fact at the Rail North Partnership meeting in December, he demanded a commitment to a half-hourly service at both Mossley and Greenfield stations as soon as possible.
“Much has changed in the past two years, including MPs and government ministers. The momentum gained now needs a profile-raising drive.
“To achieve this, MORAG needs your help, as the committee is reduced in number. For example, are you a computer whizz? Could you set up and maintain a shared drive to house MORAG electronic documents?
“Could you take notes at committee and/or public meetings? Are you interested in documenting train cancellations and trains that arrive/depart later than scheduled?”
• Anyone interested in helping or willing to sponsor them can message MORAG through its Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/652036494846512