Trains of woes and strains

FRUSTRATED commuters have called for drastic changes to “diabolical” services from Oldham’s only train station.

Greenfield Rail Action Group (GRAG) put their concerns to Matthew Worman of Northern Rail and Simon Brooks, station manager for Mossley and Greenfield.

They listed a catalogue of issues including mechanical breakdowns, too few train crews, cancellations without explanation, crammed carriages and lack of information.

Rail users argued services had become significantly worse at Greenfield since Northern Rail’s franchise was extended until February 2016.

Richard Knowles, former Mayor of Oldham and a university lecturer on transport, lives in Greenfield.

Speaking at the meeting at Uppermill civic hall, he said: “The last six months have been the worst I can ever remember and the services are diabolical.

“We want to see improvements quickly. We will be making representations to the Department for Transport, and if things stay how they are then we will tell them Northern Rail is terrible.”

Mark Ashmore of GRAG, said: “Cancellations shouldn’t happen when we only get one train an hour.”

Mr Worman is to pass the complaints to train planners, but said trains up to 25 years old were always going to be subject to more breakdowns.

Commuters can send comments and feedback directly to Northern Rail by visiting www.northernrail.org/comments