Many people were surprised, and pleased, when observing the start of work recently at Lostock station. It will provide increased parking spaces, CCTV and real-time train service information.

All these are very welcome improvements and in keeping with the wish to encourage an increased use of public transport, thereby reducing both carbon emission and traffic congestion in the Greater Manchester conurbation.

Consequently it is difficult to reconcile the upgrading of Lostock station with the downgrading of the train services when the new timetable starts on December 14.

Lostock is a residential area with many people using the direct train services to Manchester Piccadilly, to connect with long-distance trains to London and Manchester Airport, to connect with flights.

The convenience of not having to change trains when carrying cases is a principal factor when planning such journeys.

However, after the 7.30am train from Lostock, there will be just one direct train per hour to Manchester Piccadilly and only one throughout the rest of the day directly to Manchester Airport.

At present there is one train each hour from Lostock to the airport (19 trains a day) but from December 14 this will be cut to just four, with a period of 11 hours during the day without a direct train. The services in the opposite direction are to be similarly decimated.

This is all the more difficult to understand when one realises that the existing trains are still running and stopping at Horwich Parkway, but only three of them are scheduled to stop at Lostock.

What logic supports this? Is it time for Vernon Barker, the managing director of Trans Pennine Express, to think again and to recommence, the Lostock stops urgently?

Colin Heaton, Lostock