INTERVENTION by the government is needed to ease overcrowding on Bolton trains, according to MP David Crausby.

The Bolton West MP has written to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin about his “serious concerns” in the decline in standards on the trains used by Bolton commuters.

He warns that while electrification of the Manchester to Preston line is welcome, the reduction of services during the work will make the problem of overcrowding worse.

He said: “Electrification will be a big positive for Bolton, but we cannot afford to lose capacity over the next few years while we wait for it to happen.

“Services to Man-chester and Preston are already crowded at all times of day. With so many services being taken away from Bolton, this is only going to get worse and I’m worried about the safety of passengers in those conditions.

“First Transpennine Express and Northern Rail claim to have done all that they can, so I think it’s time for the Department for Transport to take action and make sure Bolton has a decent rail service.”

Train operator First Transpennine Express will start re-directing services on the line through Wigan from next month as three years of work begins.

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Railway campaigner Preva Crossley said he was pleased Mr Crausby was speaking up for Bolton commuters. He added: “Overcrowding on the trains is a big problem, with people regularly left behind on the platform.

“This is the govern-ment’s fault — we need to put pressure on them and the local transport authority to get some-thing done about it.”

Cllr David Chadwick, Bolton Council’s cabinet member for transport, added: “Mr Crausby’s letter is very worthwhile. It’s something that I have been trying to get something done about.

“The problem we have got is that the rail operators say that there are no spare diesel units in the country that would strengthen or improve the services.”