I have just collected the revised train times from December 14, 2008, to May 16, 2009, for services between Manchester and Lostock.

There is a marked deterioration in availability of trains to and from Manchester Piccadilly and particularly of the service after 6pm.

The availability into Manchester Victoria has increased, but to the detriment of the service to Piccadilly.

Piccadilly is the main station for services to the south of Manchester, Manchester Airport and London.

The revision of services does not seem to have had any public consultation, nor taken account of current usage of trains.

To introduce it at the time of voting regarding the introduction of the congestion charge seems particularly inappropriate.

Although more trains stop at Horwich Parkway than Lostock in the new timetable, the parking at Horwich is totally inadequate.

The road system is very congested and often stationary around the entrance into the Middlebrook retail area.

It is impossible to park after 8am and, therefore, passengers travelling after the rush-hour period have nowhere to park.

The station is not served by a regular bus service as an alternative.

Although I live nearer to Horwich Parkway than Lostock, I do not regularly use the station as I have missed trains due to not being able to park or stuck in congested traffic. The long overdue extension to the Lostock car park is welcomed, but comes at a time of deteriorating service provision.

If the use of public transport is to be increased then it has to meet the needs of the travelling public.

I sincerely hope that this revised timetable will be reconsidered before the next publication.

Mr S G Wilson Lower Austins Lostock