Let's think big on road congestion

I can confirm that I personally have been adding to this congestion since last September due to industrial action/train cancellations at First North Western. The current position is that the train I used to catch, the 8.48am Lostock to Manchester, remains cancelled, along with others, due to driver shortages. This is despite the fact that a new pay deal has been agreed between FNW and its drivers. I would not be surprised if this service just disappears from the next timetable published. Now I realise that there are others trains from Lostock to Manchester, but this particular one fitted well with dropping children off at school so driving into Manchester is my only alternative.

I fully agree with Guy Harkin, that the answer to traffic congestion lies in improving public transport. The Bolton to Manchester train service has improved in recent years, and I congratulate First North Western for this.

Further improvements are however needed. Considering the number of cars using that M61/M60 junction, as shown in your front-page photo, I suggest that someone needs to "think big". As a lay person in this, I don't know who this "someone" is, however as a start I suggest the following:

Double the number of carriages on existing Horwich Parkway/Lostock/Bolton Manchester peak time services.

Then doubling of the frequency of peak time services on this route.

Together with increasing station parking areas.

I believe that the travelling public would soon use the extra capacity. Your paper has shown how crowded these trains get, however station parking needs considering as well.

In this respect, I notice that the old warehouse near Lostock station has recently been demolished. I hope that this is to allow extension of the car park, but I fear that new houses are more likely. If this is the case, it is disappointing that Bolton MBC has granted planning permission for anything other than extending the car park.

Mrs V V Ault

The Woodlands

Lostock

Bolton