Lib-Dems slam rail ‘betrayal’

Passengers are packed like sardines

EVEN sardines would complain about overcrowding on local rush-hour trains, according to Lib-Dem councillors.

Councillor Richard Knowles, who represents Oldham on the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority, said: “Rail passengers are suffering severe overcrowding on many commuter routes in Greater Manchester.

“It is so bad on some trains on the Greenfield and Mills Hill to Manchester routes that sardines would complain.

“Passengers are even sometimes stopped by railway conductors from getting on the most overcrowded morning and evening commuter trains on health and safety grounds and are then left behind to wait for the next train.

“The Government responded to this problem last year when it announced that it would be ordering 182 extra carriages for Northern Rail and 42 extra carriages for TransPennine for Greater Manchester and other Northern cities.

“Now the Government has reneged on its commitment and intends to cut the order this month by over 40 per cent to only 106 carriages for Northern Rail and 24 for TransPennine.

“Northern commuters have been betrayed by the Government while, surprise, surprise, there are no cuts in the much larger order for new carriages on the London commuter routes.”

At Wednesday’s full council meeting, the ruling Lib-Dems will ask fellow councillors to back a call opposing local rail cuts.

Councillor Knowles added: “We are asking the council to put pressure on the Government to reverse these rail cuts and are also asking Oldham’s three MPs for their support.”

Councillor John Dillon, also a representative on the GMITA added: “This terrible situation is made worse by another Government decision on five Oldham Loop trains.

“After promising that they would be kept for use in Greater Manchester after the line closes this October for conversion to Metrolink, the Government has now demanded that we pay charges of £1 million a year to keep them.

“This is despite the Government saving £8 million a year after ending its subsidy to the Oldham Loop services.”