Light at end of tunnel for packed trains

The least-loved trains used on the Oldham-loop line could be reprieved to rescue commuters from overcrowding.

Earlier this year it was reported that five “Pacer” trains could be shipped out of the area when the Oldham loop line closes this autumn.

But Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon has pledged to consider allowing them to stay.

In transport questions in the House of Commons, Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell said: “Northern Rail services have been disrupted by the new timetable for the west coast main line, with many trains shortened and passengers left standing on the platform, unable to get on jam-packed trains.

“Will the Minister agree urgently to redeploy the trains on the Oldham loop, so that hard-pressed commuters can at least get to work?”

Mr Hoon replied: “We will carefully consider addressing those problems.”

Local councillors are worried that the Department of Transport will send the 20-year-old trains with bus-like interiors to another part of the country while Greater Manchester commuters continue to be squeezed into overcrowded trains.

Greater Manchester’s rail timetable was dramatically changed last December to accommodate Virgin’s three trains an hour from Piccadilly to London.

The Oldham loop is subsidised by £8m a year. Local transport chiefs are protesting to the Government that they at least deserve to hang on to the trains which are used on the line.

One of the lines they want to use the Pacers on is the Calder Valley line between Manchester and Leeds which meets the Oldham loop at Rochdale and carries on through Castleton and Mills Hill.

Rochdale residents could eventually be speeding to London at 200mph after rail bosses were told to draw up plans to plans to bring high speed trains to Greater Manchester.

High Speed Two (HS2), set up to bring the trains to the West Midlands, has been told to prepare a case for the north, including Greater Manchester. The company will report by the end of the year.

MP Beverley Hughes, regional minister for the North West, said: “The benefits high speed rail could bring to our region should not be underestimated. It will allow our companies and businesses to expand across the country bringing real economic benefits across the North-West.”