Improvements trailed for line through Kearsley railway station

This comes after this week’s budget announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves included funding for the electrification of the Manchester Victoria to Stalybridge line.

Improvements like this could mean improved trains at Kearsley Station, which was ranked as the country’s lowest performing train station in May this year according to Ontimetrains.

Cllr Debbie Newall, of Kearsley, said: “Hopefully as Kearsley and Farnworth stations are served by the direct trains to Stalybridge and Wigan there is the opportunity to provide newer faster trains with increased capacity and comfort for passengers from Kearsley.

“With electrification comes the ability for trains to accelerate and decelerate more quickly.

Kearsley Station was once branded the UK's worst (Image: Google Maps)

“With the increased efficiency I would also hope that the electrification is the catalyst for more frequent trains along with a Sunday service.

“Poor train services in Kearsley has always been a bone of contention with residents of Kearsley, and only recently someone commented that trains stop more frequently in ‘posh’ areas of south Manchester and went on to quote Heald Green having three trains per hour despite being on the busy Manchester Airport line.

“Kearsley lost out recently when it came to all night buses and I would hope that we are successful this time around in securing an additional train services.”

According to Onetimetrains, Kearsley Station ranked as the worst in the UK for punctuality and cancellations in May this year.

The website said that 81 per cent of station’s stopping trains are delayed or cancelled and most delays were more than two minutes.

ALSO READ: Former 'UK's worst' train station continues to climb ranks - but is it all good news?

ALSO READ: A Bolton train station no longer the 'UK's worst' (despite getting 'worse')

ALSO READ: A Bolton train station named as worst in the UK

By July this year it had climbed to be only the third worst in the UK for the same factors.

But Cllr Newall said that the Chancellor’s announcement this week is a welcome commitment.

Ms Reeves told the House of Commons that the investment will aim to deliver “fully electric local and regional services between Manchester and Stalybridge by the end of this year".

She added: “We are delivering railway schemes which improve journeys for people across our country, including upgrades at Bradford Forster Square, improving capacity at Manchester Victoria, and electrifying the Wigan-Bolton line.”