Fears that HS3 will sideline local services

The suggested HS3 train project could signal the end of local services from Oldham’s only rail station, a transport campaigner has warned.

Saddleworth Parish Councillor Royce Franklin, chair of the traffic and transport sub committee, speaking at the council’s monthly meeting, expressed fears in the wake of proposals for a new high-speed rail service linking Liverpool to the North East.

Backed by Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne, HS3 is billed “as important to the north of England as Crossrail is for London.”

Plans, if carried forward, would cut journey times between Leeds and Manchester by almost half.

But Councillor Franklin, a rail champion for local users on journeys between Greenfield, Mossley and Manchester and Yorkshire, said: “The problem with the present line is it has only two tracks.

“This restricts the capacity of faster trains to pass slow local ones. If HS3 were along the present line without any modifications I think we would say goodbye to local trains.

“If the Standedge tunnel was reopened it would be slightly better. But the possibility of reopening Woodhead Tunnel would hardly speed up journeys between Manchester and Leeds.

“My view is the only way in which even a reasonable local service can continue is for a new line through the Pennines.

“Travel between major cities is good for the economy but it must not be allowed to be at the total exclusion of local travellers.”