Carriages lost as Loop Line closes

Photo: Tony Young

Councillor Keith Whitmore, Chairman of GMITA, Paul Rowen, MP for Rochdale and Councillor Peter Evans on the very last train from Victoria to Rochdale via Oldham.

The rolling stock of carriages that run on the Oldham Loop Line could be sent to other parts of the country now that the line has closed.

Trains ran along the line for the last time this weekend as work beings to convert the track for Metrolink use.

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen is calling for the rolling stock to be retained for use along the Manchester, Rochdale and Leeds line.

Mr Rowen said: “This is a real kick in the teeth for public transport in our area. I was very disappointed to learn that Northern Rail has no plans to use at least some of the carriages on the Leeds-Manchester via Rochdale Calderdale line.

"First Bus are diverting the 181 from Milnrow and Newhey to stop at Rochdale Railway station. However this will be a futile exercise if there are no additional carriages on the existing services.

“I have written to the Managing Director of Northern Rail and demanded a review of the situation.

"Overcrowding is a big issue on our trains going to and from Manchester and Leeds, especially at peak times. These carriages are needed right here in Rochdale and I will continue to press hard to make sure our case is heard.”

Richard Greenwood, the Chairman of STORM (Support the Oldham, Rochdale, Manchester Rail line) said: “This decision is totally perverse. The Department for Transport should be doing more to ensure that these carriages are kept for use along the Caldervale Line into Manchester. This would help to ease the existing overcrowding which will only be increased by the Loop Line closure.

"All I can say is that if this same situation was happening in the South East, there is no doubt that this outcome would be totally different. This is another classic example of the Government not caring about public transport anywhere above Watford Gap.”