Demand for more frequent trains from Greenfield Station

SADDLEWORTH Councillors have pushed the call for more frequent trains to run from Greenfield Station.

Currently, just one service an hour runs between Saddleworth and Manchester.

Statistics from the Stalybridge to Huddersfield Rail User Group show that Greenfield currently has annual usage figures of more than 350,000, yet a station such as Batley in West Yorkshire – which gets two stopping trains per hour – has only 227,000.

And Liberal Democrat Cllrs Helen Bishop, of Saddleworth South, and Saddleworth North’s Garth Harkness have pressed the Oldham borough authority for a doubling.

Councillor Bishop, who recently led a public meeting on the Transpennine Route Upgrade plans in Uppermill, said that it was vital that as part of the works, a proper commitment was made to delivering a better service.

She said: “We are looking at years of pain for Saddleworth’s residents and at the end of it, they haven’t been promised any better service.

“That’s simply not good enough.

“Greenfield gets much more footfall than many other stations yet gets a much worse service.

“We want a firm commitment to two trains an hour from Greenfield – one to Piccadilly, and one to Victoria, and return services.

“We have asked this question at council before and got no answer. I’m fighting for better public transport for the people of Saddleworth, and I think Oldham Council should do so too.”

Cllr Harkness asked the question at the meeting of Oldham’s full council on Wednesday, December 10.

And Cllr Chris Goodwin, cabinet member for transport and highways, told of the station’s importance to the area.

He said: “In principle, we support anything that makes things better for the people of Oldham.

“Reliable, frequent and accessible transport links are central to improving opportunities, strengthening connectivity and enhancing quality of life across the borough.

“We will continue to work closely with the rail operators to make this possible and we recognise the importance of Greenfield station as a vital gateway for local residents and businesses.”