Train changes will ‘remove local links’ - Mayor

THE MAYOR of Oldham has urged train users to tell Network Rail what they think of local train service changes.

Transport expert Councillor Richard Knowles has welcomed Network Rail’s plan to run a one-week local passenger survey on plans that will effect services to Greenfield and Mossley.

The £500 million Northern Hub scheme would no longer see services stopping at all stations along the Huddersfield to Manchester Victoria line..

Councillor Knowles argues local links, which need improvement, would be removed between Mossley, Greenfield, Marsden, Ashton and Manchester Victoria. He also hit out at the intention to redirect trains to Manchester Piccadilly.

He said: “The destination for the overwhelming majority of local train passengers from Greenfield and Mossley, both in the peak and off-peak periods, appears to be to the shops, offices, jobs and leisure facilities within close walking distance of Manchester Victoria.

“Many passengers might stop travelling by train if local services were diverted into Manchester Piccadilly instead, and connections would also be lost between local stations and with Ashton.”

Councillor Knowles is urging all local passengers to complete the survey, which will be handed out at stations and on trains before Easter.

He added: “Evidence from passengers is needed to persuade Network Rail to reconsider its proposals to axe train services from Greenfield and Mossley to Ashton and Manchester Victoria. The huge increase in local rail usage from Greenfield and Mossley warrants a half-hourly stopping-train service into Manchester Victoria, not an hourly skip-stop service into Manchester Piccadilly.”