Misery of late trains comes to a head

OLDHAM’S only railway station, in Greenfield, has six out of the 10 worst performing trains in the region, says a rail watchdog

The information was revealed in a report to councillors at a meeting of the Transport for Greater Manchester, Metrolink and Rail Networks sub-committee.

Mark Ashmore, chair of the Greenfield Rail Action Group (GRAG), says: “This is just not good enough. We are one of the busiest lines in Greater Manchester but we have to tolerate consistent lateness and cancellations.

“The situation has worsened since the introduction of the fifth Trans Pennine Express on the line in May and as a result of staff shortages due to the new extended Northern Rail franchise.”

There are plans for a sixth express which, the group says, will cause even more delays on an already busy line.

Under the present system Trans Pennine Expresses run every 12 minutes through the day. Before May it was every 15 minutes.

In its recent submission to the Department for Transport the group vehemently opposed the introduction of the sixth express.

GRAG is asking passengers to submit their experiences at a meeting with Matt Worman, from Northern Rail, at Uppermill Civic Hall on November 18 (7.30pm).

Anyone interested in the quality of service currently provided is invited to attend to make their views known.

Passengers can alsi email their experiences to GRAG secretary Royce Franklin at: royce.franklin1@btinternet.com.