THE BEN has been saying it for the past few years -- now, rail bosses agree that "cattle truck" conditions on our railways demand more resources.

And First North Western is using a dossier of this newspaper's articles on the severe local problems in an official application to the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA).

They hope to have more trains installed on routes serving the Manchester to Bolton corridor.

The BEN articles are certainly likely to bolster their case, revealing passengers' disgust about overcrowded rush-hour trains and dismay at regional rail policy.

It is a newspaper's job to highlight local conditions and press for improvement by reflecting public opinion. While we are happy that our coverage has been so effective, we will not relax our vigilance until the problem is officially acknowledged, and alleviated.

It is not healthy, safe, or desirable to have sometimes 80 or more passengers standing on regularly overcrowded trains.

The Government has long been encouraging the population to ease road congestion by using public transport, but has not created an infra-structure to reflect the policy.

We hope that First North Western are successful in their bids and that the area does get more trains and a better service.

There are certainly people in the Horwich area, who remember the massive local Loco Works and the rolling stock it produced, who will indulge in a wry smile today. The Works was deemed unnecessary and closed, and now our service urgently needs more trains. Blazing a trail MORE wry smiles are bound to come from readers seeing the artist's impression of the £14 million new development planned for the site of the former Bolton Fire Station on Marsden Road.

While it is certainly a handsome building and will offer excellent regeneration for that end of Deansgate, it is remarkably similar to the old building that graced this site.

That said, the plan -- which includes a large hotel, shops, offices, a restaurant and health centre -- looks very promising, and will dramatically enhance town centre facilities at a crucial time in its retail history.