Trains still bursting at the seams, Mr Woolas

An angry transport expert is challenging Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Phil Woolas to travel with his constituents on overcrowded local trains.

Oldham Councillor Richard Knowles, a regular rail user and geography professor at Salford University, reminded the MP that he promised in November to see for himself the overcrowded train services between Manchester Victoria and Greenfield.

Councillor Knowles, chairman of capital projects for the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority, has written to remind Mr Woolas.

He stated: “I am surprised and very disappointed that since early November, four months ago, despite repeated reminders and the front page story in the Oldham Chronicle, you have been unable to find an hour in your diary to meet one of your constituents and myself at Manchester Victoria Station to travel on one of the many grossly overcrowded trains.”

He said the Government had repeatedly promised extra rail carriages, even though the Government cancelled an order for 200 new diesel railcar carriages in July. Nearly all of them were destined for the north of England, about 40 per cent for Greater Manchester. Rail travel is growing and overcrowding on many local trains is now at dangerous levels, said Councillor Knowles, with passengers left behind on platforms because they cannot squeeze on to trains where passengers are packed like sardines. Councillor Knowles added: “If you can spare an hour in your diary this month I will show you the unacceptable conditions that your constituents have to travel in on a daily basis.

“I am sure that this will convince you of the urgent need to persuade the Transport Minister Lord Adonis that an order for new diesel railcars is needed now.”