THE article, "Train service labelled the worst" (The Bolton News, March 2), prompts me to add my support to the debate.
I used to commute, with difficulty, to Hindley, on the line between Bolton and Southport. Who plans and makes the decisions over the rail network? The rail operators tell us it is the local PTE who dictates which stations a train stops at, but, when questioned, they blame it on the Government.
There are five services within the hour between Manchester and Wigan, four of these travel to and from Manchester Victoria, two via Atherton and the other two via Bolton, with an additional hourly airport/Southport/airport service via Piccadilly, which serves Westhoughton.
Within a matter of minutes, Westhoughton has a choice of two direct rail links to and from both Manchester Victoria and Piccadilly, yet Hindley seems to be the poor relation, despite the vast increase of patronage. Although it has three services within the hour all operating into Victoria. It is bad enough having no disabled access. This makes it even more difficult for such passengers who are sometimes forced to make up to at least three changes when travelling to the south of Manchester.
The explanations offered? The lines between Salford Crescent and Manchester Piccadilly are heavily congested, and the timing at Southport is a very tight turnaround. This I dispute.
As a regular visitor to Southport, utilising the airport service, I have never seen this being the case, as the majority of the time it is never the same rolling stock or train crew that operates the return journey back to the airport. All it needs is for the timings to be slightly adjusted by two minutes. This will allow a stop at Hindley, or is it, as I guess, our own PTE who are not in favour of this additional stop?
I am proud of Hindley station for its cleanliness and improved facilities, but when do we see someone in authority start listening to passengers' needs?
Preva Crossley Roseneath Road Great Lever
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