FEARS are growing that privatisation could mean the end of the line for many long distance rail services from Bolton. Council chiefs are worried that routes to Scotland, Birmingham and to the south of England could all be hit. They are to make an official protest and demand that all existing services are maintained. The franchise will soon be offered to operate Cross Country Trains which is currently responsible for intercity services linking Scotland, Birmingham and the South of England

They operate all the intercity services which stop at Bolton.

But if the successful operator only offers the minimum level of services required, it could badly hit services which stop at Bolton.

It would reduce the services to Scotland from five trains a day to three, to Birmingham and the south coast from two to one. Council chiefs will make the formal protest to the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising which is to invite tenders for the franchise.

They also want a commitment that through trains between the south coast and Scotland stop at Bolton.

In addition, they will be calling for at least three through trains a day between Manchester Airport and Scotland and for more Manchester to Birmingham services to be extended through Oxford to the south coast. Labour Cllr Stuart Murray said at a planning and environment committee meeting yesterday: "I think we should put forward a very strong argument that we need to maintain all the services we can."

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