5:31pm Tuesday 9th March 2010
By Tom Moseley
EXTRA carriages are to be added to trains between East Lancashire and Manchester in a major boost for rail commuters.
Currently many of the trains on the Clitheroe to Manchester line, which runs through Blackburn, are only one or two carriages long.
But now the government has announced an increased allocation of up to four coaches at busy times. More coaches will also be added to services from Todmorden.
Council bosses, who are campaigning to improve East Lancashire’s rail links, said the announcement was “great news”.
Under the banner of “Pennine Lancashire”, town halls are working towards the long-term goal of securing funding to improve the track to allow for faster, more frequent services.
Blackburn with Darwen council chief executive Graham Burgess said: “An improved rail link between Clitheroe and Manchester is one of the council’s priorities and we are pleased to see that our campaign has been effective.
“The possibility of additional carriages on the Clitheroe to Manchester rail line by July is great news and will help ease overcrowding.”
Bosses hope better rail links will create “commuter belts” across East Lancashire running into Manchester and Leeds.
The extra coaches have been made available by changes to the Greater Manchester network.
A section of track known as the “Oldham loop” has been closed to be replaced by a tram service.
The Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority, which is in charge of the region’s rail policy, welcomed the news.
Chairman Keith Whitmore said: “This is welcome news for commuters, and a promising first step towards easing the overcrowding on peak time trains.”
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