Talks tackle train misery

TALKS have been held to tackle overcrowded trains which are badly affecting Oldham’s commuters.

The closure of Oldham’s loop line, to be replaced by trams over the next two years, has added to problems at Mills Hill and Greenfield stations.

Leading transport officials met with MPs from across Greater Manchester to discuss capacity issues on the region’s train services.

Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) attended the Whitehall discussion, arranged by Tony Lloyd, MP for Manchester Central, which centred on the number of extra carriages due to be provided by the Government to address overcrowding on rail services.

GMITA chairman, Councillor Keith Whitmore, said: “It was a very encouraging discussion.

“We are all focused on addressing the issue of overcrowding on our trains as a matter of urgency by securing as many additional carriages as we can.

“Overcrowded trains make the daily commute a misery and put people off using public transport, so we are pleased with the help and support of our MPs on this issue and I trust they will now be seeking further urgent talks with the Secretary of State.

“We need some definitive answers on the number of carriages we will be getting and the timescales for their delivery.”

The Government had drawn up proposals to provide more than 180 additional carriages for Northern Rail services across the North of England by 2014.

However, current plans provide for less than half that figure. The lobbying has led to the Government launching a review of its whole programme.

Part of the problem has been blamed on rail services through Greater Manchester witnessing a 50 per cent growth in the past 10 years, which has led to standing room only on most peak-time trains.

GMITA is also lobbying for additional carriages to be provided for other train operators serving Greater Manchester.

Mr Lloyd said: “Rail travel has undoubtedly been a huge success in Greater Manchester but the travelling public pay the price for that success with overcrowded trains.

“We need to see more carriages on our trains and that’s why local MPs have worked with GMITA to bring that case to Westminster and Whitehall.

“We’ve already had a sympathetic hearing with the Secretary of State, Lord Adonis, and the good news is that the electrification of the Manchester to Liverpool line will generate more carriages.

“However, we still need to get the Department for Transport to give a clear indication of when the travelling public can expect to see the delivery of those extra carriages, which will ease today’s congestion.”