Passengers anger at delay

A passenger examines the train cancellation notice at Greenfield Station

DISGRUNTLED train passengers claimed they have been left out in the cold because of delays refurbishing their local station.

Greenfield station should have fully opened earlier this month after a £300,000 makeover, but the contractor went into administration.

And although rail bosses have promised the station will be fully operational before Christmas, passengers claim there is nowhere to shelter from the icy weather.

The situation was highlighted on Saturday when the 11.53am train to Manchester was cancelled leaving passengers stranded at the station.

Benjamin Bradford, from Dobcross, said: “The train’s non appearance caused real problems.

“The station is still partially boarded up. It’s not right passengers had to linger on open platforms. It was very cold and there is no real shelter.

“The station still looks unfinished. Everyone just wants to see it reopened and operating.”

Councillor Richard Knowles, a rail expert, said: “I understand the problems and feel real sympathy for passengers. I am in daily contact with the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE), which is trying to finish the job so the station can get under way. But it is having to work through the administrators. It’s very frustrating because work could be completed in a just a few days.”

Mike Rooke, secretary of the Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents’ Association and a rail user said: “We have a new hourly Sunday service beginning from the station very soon — let’s hope work is completed by then.”

The revamp is creating a new ticket office and waiting areas, as well as safety and security features.

Paul Griffiths, GMPTE’s interim projects director, said they had no prior notice that the contractor was going into administration.

“We would reassure passengers that we are doing all we can to get the station open as soon as possible.”

A temporary ticket office, operating from the front of the station since March, will remain until work is complete.

Passengers delayed on Saturday were issued with complaint forms by the rail operator.