RAIL privatisation has put Bolton Wanderers' new station 18 months behind schedule, it was revealed last night.

Bolton Council deputy leader, Cllr Guy Harkin said that talks had only begun six weeks ago on developing a rail link to the new Reebok Stadium at Horwich.

Cllr Harkin, who is also vice chairman of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority said that before then, they did not know who to talk to.

He said at last night's Bolton Council meeting: "We have all been ready to go for a long time, but until there was a train operator announced, we had no-one to talk to."

Meanwhile, his Labour colleague Cllr John Byrne made a plea for the station to be built to take huge football specials.

"We were told that a two-carriage rail halt would cost £800,000 and an eight carriage one £1.25 million.

"We want this to take football specials, and who knows, if we get into Europe, we could have a direct link with Manchester Airport."

He also suggested that two-way bus shuttles could be provided from Bolton town centre, taking supporters to the stadium and returning with shoppers on a park and ride scheme.

Another Labour Cllr Stuart Murray also hit out at the £2 billion subsidy a year which is now paid to private rail operators, which he said was £6.74 for every rail journey from Bolton.

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