Anger at rail cuts

On track for a nightmare: the "sardine express" isn't about to get any better

Commuters have expressed fury at the Government’s decision to cut financial support for Greater Manchester’s rail network.

It was recently announced that support is to be slashed by £8 billion, meaning hopes for additional carriages and more efficient services have been dashed.

The Department for Transport previously said they would be working with Network Rail towards 2014, to relieve congestion on the ‘sardine express’ and have now come out to say that 106 carriages are being added to the line instead of the 180 which were promised.

Laura Lazurek, 38, travels between Manchester Victoria and Littleborough every day. She said: “I have been late for work so many times because I physically can not squeeze onto the train at a busy time in the morning.

“The people lucky enough to get on have to stand there completely squashed on the doorway.

“Its nothing new, it’s been like this for months and months.”

A male rail passenger, who did not want to be named said: “They must spend more money on ticket staff than trains, there are loads of them walking around, making sure you’ve paid for your ticket.

“Train tickets aren’t cheap these days and the level of service you get is disgusting.”

He added: “You go down south and see the lovely new trains, they’re about 12 carriages long, you’re lucky to get three up here.”

A notice of motion that was put forward by the Liberal Democrats at this week’s full Council Meeting, was proposed by Councillor Peter Evans and seconded by Councillor Peter Davison.

Councillor Peter Evans who proposed the Notice of Motion, said: “Northern Rail has had no new carriages for the past five years, whereas franchises providing commuter services in London and the south-east have had 580 new carriages over the same period.

“This is another example of this Labour Government putting the interests of London before Greater Manchester yet again.”

Councillor Peter Davison said: “At the moment passengers in Castleton and across Greater Manchester are being forced to board trains like sardines.

“This has left employers faced with dozens of tired, stressed and uncomfortable when they arrive at their workplace.

“The cuts that the Government will be implementing across Greater Manchester are basically a two-fingered salute to all rail passengers in our area and this is simply unacceptable.”

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen said: “The Calder Valley line between Manchester and Leeds which meets the Rochdale loop are among the most overcrowded in the area, yet nothing has been done to ease congestion and make life easier for Northern Rail passengers. I will be seeking an urgent meeting with Transport bosses to see if we resolve these issues.”