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A new rail user group is being set up to support passengers using Northern Trains between Salford Crescent and Wigan Wallgate via Atherton, as well as local train services in the Bolton area.

Passengers are worried that the £37 million electrification of the Bolton-Wigan North Western line was approved this month (December 2013), but there has been no mention of the line from Salford Crescent to Wigan Wallgate via Atherton.

They are also becoming increasingly worried by the high levels of overcrowding.

The organisers have called their campaign “Along the Right Lines – Northern Communities Together” and are hoping to attract support from existing transport organisations, including community rail groups, friends of the stations, station adopters and local passengers.

The intentions of the group will be non-political. It will campaign for better rail services and give local rail users a better say.

The first planned public meeting will be on Wednesday 15 January 2014 and will be held at the Hope Community Centre (Communiversity), Central Drive, Westhoughton BL5 3DS at 19.30.

The aim is to encourage support from local councils and councillors, transport and rail operators, as well as Transport for Greater Manchester and the Association of Community Rail Partnerships.

The local newspaper The Bolton News has also launched a campaign to improve the town’s overcrowded “cattle market” rail services.

The paper reported that First TransPennine had cut a peak commuter train from six coaches to three from Monday 9 December 2013.

The Right Lines group is looking for financial support and help.

If you have any suggestions or would like to get involved please attend the meeting.

If you need further information, please contact:

prevacrossley at talktalk.net

or

derekbullock52 at btinternet.com

Bolton News story