There’s a must-read post over at David Ottewell’s blog. The proposed 180 extra rail carriages for Greater Manchester – essentially to keep the region moving – have been slashed by the Government to a maximum of 106.
I know that my colleague Cllr Ian MacDonald, Worsley ward Councillor and Vice-Chairman of the Transport Authority, will be protesting along with his colleagues in the strongest term. This is a real let-down for the people of Greater Manchester, and means that commuters from Walkden, Eccles, Irlam, Patricroft and Swinton stations will continue to suffer overcrowding and inadequate services.
At a time when rail transport should be a high priority for economic and environmental reasons this kind of short-term decision by Labour is as disappointing as it is typical. Commuters in Lancashire and Greater Manchester are suffering – we need more stations, new lines, and increased funding now.
As I’ve said here before, demand for extra/longer trains currently FAR exceeds the trains available. No new diesel-powered trains are being built (or are on order) and the only ‘old’ ones coming available in the near future are those (few) being displaced by Metrolink on the Oldham loop.
The only hope – and its a very long shot – would be electrification from Manchester to Liverpool (via Irlam & Warrington), which would release 4-6 diesel trains. As these things go, that would be cheap, quick & effective …so is it Conservative Policy?