Train column

The chairman of an influential transport body has spoken out about the start of Greater Manchester’s “cold and dreary” rail stations and claimed they would look better if they were run locally.

Cllr Andrew Fender, who heads Transport for Greater Manchester’s committee, pointed out that companies that run local train services are not around long enough to care what stations look like.

And if you were to put local politicians in charge, they would probably give such stations a makeover out of pride for their hometowns and duty to their constituents.

I think Cllr Fender has a point.

Take the Metrolink, for example. It runs all the stations on its network and they generally look a lot cleaner and brighter than satellite stations such as Moses Gate, Walkden and Kearsley.

When vandals recently daubed graffiti onto the walls of three tram stations, staff cleared it away within two hours.

A while back, I went to a community meeting and, after neighbours of Heaton Park Metrolink Station complained about anti-social behaviour, bosses boosted security within a fortnight.

There is not always the same response when it comes to train stations, and not nearly as fast and maybe local ownership would change that.

At present, Network Rail and train operators has thousands of stations to look after across the country so it is no surprise that very few of them get special attention.

Often, it is left to groups such as The Friends of Hindley Station and Greater Manchester Transport Campaign to spruce up the stations or other groups to suggest ideas.

This can lead to positive results.

For example, Chorley Station has a huge artistic mural in the subway that links to the two platform, as well as a series of paintings by local primary school children.

Perhaps there would be more of this if a Greater Manchester-wide station management organisation was created, and each station would have its own character.

Bring it on, I say.