THE VISUALISED HS3 train could signal the end of local services from Oldham’s only rail station, a transport campaigner has warned.
Saddleworth Parish Councillor Royce Franklin, chair of the traffic and transport subcommittee, has expressed fears in the wake of the announcement of a new rail service to cut journey times between Manchester and Leeds.
Backed by Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne, HS3 is billed “as important to the north of England as Crossrail is for London.”
But Cllr Franklin believes the new scheme could spell out disaster for local rail users travelling between Greenfield, Mossley and Manchester and Yorkshire.
He said: “The problem with the present line is it has only two tracks. This restricts the capacity of faster trains to pass slow local ones.
“If HS3 were to use the present line without any modifications I think we would say good-bye to local trains.
“If the Standedge tunnel were opened it would be slightly better. But the possibility of re-opening Woodhead Tunnel would hardly speed up journeys between Manchester and Leeds.
“My view is the only way in which even a reasonable local service can continue is for a new line through the Pennines. Then it might just be possible to have a good local service.
“Travel between major cities is good for the economy but it must not be allowed to be at the total exclusion of local travellers who have to get to work on already-crowded roads.”
And he slammed existing local train services, declaring: “It’s the worst since I started the Greenfield Rail Action Group (GRAG) more than four years ago.
“In May this year the providers of express trains were given permission to run a fifth express. This is causing unprecedented delays and they want to introduce a sixth express which will cause even more disruption.
“While GRAG appreciate the business need for trains to get from city to city, speed not frequency is felt to be the more important and any capacity issues could be addressed by having longer trains.”
He urged rail users to attend a meeting with Northern Rail at Uppermill Civic Hall on Tuesday, November 18 at 7.30pm to voice their concerns and push for improvements.
“Northern Rail need to know how we feel about the current service,” he added. “What concerns me especially is they are one of the companies in line for running the line under the new franchise from February 2016.”
Mark Ashmore, chair of GRAG, added: “We need as much help as possible to monitor the service provided so we can campaign for improvements.”
Rail users can submit their experiences to GRAG secretary Royce Franklin, preferably by email: royce.franklin1@btinternet.com or telephone 01457 873248.
The group needs as much information as possible, including time, date, station punctuality and whether any explanation was given for the lateness. It would be helpful if those wishing to be involved submitted as soon as possible after the event.
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