Councillor hits out at train costs

Richard Knowles

A RAIL expert has slammed the Department of Transport in the wake of Oldham’s Loop Line closure.

Oldham councillor Richard Knowles, a lecturer in transport, launched his attack because the department wants he Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) to pay a massive annual rental fee to retain the five Oldham trains, which have been withdrawn from service, for use in Greater Manchester.

It is believed the DoT is saving nearly £8 million a year by no longer subsidising the Oldham Loop services and has withdrawn that amount from Greater Manchester’s rail transport system.

Officially, it is believed the five trains are kept in working order at the Newton Heath depot and can be brought into immediate service to replace broken down trains in the event of emergency.

Councillor Knowles has been campaigning to reinstate the five trains trains locally so that overcrowded trains at Greenfield, Mills Hill and Bolton can be lengthened.

He has also lobbied Northern Rail and Network Rail and will be at the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority lobby of Parliament in London next Tuesday to raise the issue with ministers and MPs of all three parties.

Councillor Knowles, who lives in Greenfield, added: “”It is a scandal that the Department of Transport acts in this cavalier way.

“How dare they withdraw nearly £8 million a year from Greater Manchester’s rail services and then have the brass nerve to demand rental payments to keep them in service here.

“I am absolutely sure they wouldn’t dare withdraw trains and then leave them idle in London.

“Meanwhile, commuters on local lines through Greenfield and Mills Hill are struggling to get on to grossly overcrowded commuter trains and then stand packed together like sardines.”