A BOLTON MP has said local communities should have more of a say on how their rail services are run.

Julie Hilling, MP for Bolton West, pictured, was speaking at the Connected North Conference on how the Government should devolve power to a local level, giving people the chance to run rail services.

The MP, who chairs the all-party Parliamentary group, Rail in the North, was a leading light in The Bolton News’ Let’s Get Back on Track campaign, which called for more carriages to be put on Bolton’s trains.

She said: “The campaigning I have done with the support of The Bolton News to protect local rail routes after services were cut back has been a good foundation in highlighting our local rail needs.

“It was great to speak at the conference and use examples of improvements needed in small towns, such as those in my area, including Horwich, Westhoughton and Lostock. Some of our services are quite shocking and it must be dealt with urgently.”