THE Government has been accused of breaking promises on rail improvements, after electrification schemes were downgraded.

While the electrification plans for the Manchester to Preston line which serves Bolton are unaffected by the cancellations, planned modernisation work between Manchester and Leeds is under threat.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has written to transport secretary Chris Grayling to warn that the downgrades could lead to ‘the derailment of the Northern Powerhouse’.

Bolton North East MP David Crausby said: “This Government has a track record of broken promises when it comes to transport investment.

“That is why I work hard to keep Bolton’s transport at the top of the agenda.

“I’m sure that in slightly different circumstances we’d have found ourselves on a cancelled projects list in the last few years.”