Rochdale’s smaller stations brought into limelight

Councillor Allen Brett

Transport bosses in Greater Manchester have named four of Rochdale’s smaller railway stations as being priorities for future funding.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) has drawn up a list of 48 stations in the county which are likely to be part of its Rail Station Improvement Strategy. Littleborough, Castleton, Smithy Bridge and Mills Hill have all been included as they are well used by commuters.

The proposals to improve the stations were welcomed at today’s GMPTA meeting. Rochdale spokesperson Councillor Allen Brett said: “I’m delighted that four of Rochdale’s smaller stations have been identified for future funding.

“We’ll now work with the Department for Transport, Network Rail and the train operators to develop our Rail Station Improvement Strategy, which will focus on improving customer information and security at stations.

“We want more people to use public transport but we’ll only be able to encourage them out of their cars if waiting facilities as well as services are improved.”

A group of independent transport consultants carried out a review of the smaller stations in Greater Manchester in 2005. The new list has been put together as the result of the review and a series of consultations with councillors.

GMPTA will now work with local authorities and the rail industry to develop a detailed rail station improvement programme for the stations which have been identified as being priorities for investment.

Further information about train services in Rochdale is available by at www.gmpte.com or by calling Traveline on 0870 608 2 608. Lines are open from 7am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 8pm at weekends and on Bank Holidays. Textphone users should ring 0870 241 2216.