Traffic fears over rail upgrade delay

A COMMUNITY transport champion has warned of a potential traffic nightmare following the announcement of Government plans to reinstate the plan to electrify the Transpennine railway.

The Manchester-Leeds and York Transpennine route passes through Greenfield station - Oldham’s only main-line link.

Before the Government “paused” the electrification scheme after the General Election, it was due to be completed in December 2018. Richard Knowles, Oldham’s former mayor, now claims completion has slipped back four years to 2022.

The railway geography professor said: “This is disastrous news for Saddleworth’s rail users.

“They were initially facing a two-year loss of the hourly stopping trains during electrification.

“After the new franchises start in April 2016, skip-stop trains to Piccadilly are likely to provide a sub-standard service for six years from December 2016.

“Meanwhile Saddleworth faces a traffic nightmare for up to six months as Oldham Road rail bridge at Greenfield Station is closed for rebuilding for electrification work.

“Network Rail needs to consult the local community urgently to find the least disruptive way of replacing the Greenfield Station bridge.”