A RADICAL campaign has been launched to improve local commuter train services around Bolton.

As well as installing extra carriages on routes through Westhoughton, Daisy Hill and Atherton at peak times, campaign group Along the Right Lines wants a Metrolink line between Bolton and Bury built.

It is also calling on the government to scrap HS2 and wants local authorities to sell off their interest in Manchester Airport, with the money saved to be spent on modernising rail links.

The campaign — spearheaded by the English Democrats and supported by Westhoughton independent councillor Jack Speight — will concentrate its main focus on improving rail services.

“The government and the council always talk about getting people out of their cars but do little to make it happen,” said Derek Bullock, from the English Democrats.

"Too much focus is on linking Bolton with the rest of the country, but what about services between here and Manchester that people use every day?

“We will be pushing this campaign with as many people as possible around Westhoughton and Atherton, and see what support we get.”

Cllr Speight said he was happy to lend his support as train use has risen in recent years despite services not expanding.

He said: “Every day, people are packed into trains to Manchester like sardines, so surely putting more carriages and extra services on should be our priority. I admit that opening a route from Bolton to Bury would pose problems but the lines are there.

“Mainly, I think huge investments should be diverted into improving local services, which everyone can see the benefits of every day.”

Along the Right Lines is now lobbying the government and council for the changes.

Cllr David Wilkinson, for Hoskers and Hart Common, agreed that Westhoughton’s twice-an-hour service to Bolton and Manchester is “inadequate” at peak times, but warned that changes would not be easy to make.

“The problem is there are only so many local stations that can cope with larger trains,” he added.

“I’m in favour of anything that improves Westhoughton’s rail services, but sometimes logistics just get in the way.”