A CAMPAIGNING rail group challenged a top officer from Transport for Greater Manchester as they push for further improvements to local services.
The Greenfield Rail Action Group (GRAG) put their questions to Owain Roberts, a rail service officer for Manchester, about service frequency, reliability and the planned electrification.
Recent surveys by TfGM show that 58 per cent of users are dissatisfied with how train companies deal with delays, while another 12 per cent were worried about punctuality.
But Mr Roberts reassured the group that with a new franchise from December and a Rail North management structure launching in April 2016, developments are on the horizon.
He said: “There will be lots of changes and improvements and we’re going to be asking groups like GRAG for their input on that.
“Progress has been made over the last few years but there are still certain aspects that need addressing, such as step-free access at Greenfield.
“A high number of users pass through Greenfield and Mossley so I believe you should have a minimum of two trains an hour, not just the one.”
Another concern raised at the meeting was a possible six-month closure of Oldham Road while electrification works are carried out at Greenfield station.
Richard Knowles, a lecturer in transport geography and member of GRAG, said: “There has been terrible disruption for the same scheme in Ashton.
“But it will be nothing like the chaos we will see when it starts here if the current plans don’t change as there are poor nearby diversions.”
GRAG meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm at the Civic Hall in Uppermill. For more information call Royce Franklin on 01457 873248.
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