RAILWAY campaigners are steaming ahead with plans for a new community action group for passengers after being inspired by The Bolton News ‘Let’s Get Back on Track’ campaign.

Preva Crossley and Derek Bullock will join the fight for better public transport links throughout Bolton by setting up a new community rail user group.

Mr Crossley, from Great Lever, who is the development officer for the Friends of Hindley Station and a committee member for the Friends of Westhoughton Station, said he wanted to set up the Bolton-wide group after reading about plans to railway services in The Bolton News.

We have been campaigning for travel bosses to reinstate axed peak-hour carriages and a dramatic improvement to the town’s overcrowded trains.

Preva, from Roseneath Road, said: “It made my blood boil to read how the government said that train problems are a local issue.

“Everyone is passing the buck, and we feel that we are not being listened to as passengers.

“We want to see more improvements on the line between Bolton and Manchester, and plan to campaign on a number of issues.

“If we can get everybody involved it’s going to take off. I’m very enthusiastic.”

The community rail user group will look at issues regarding overcrowding on trains and delays to services, and also take in problems with the buses.

A public meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 15, at the Hope Community Centre, in Central Drive, Westhoughton, BL5 3DS at 7.30pm for people to get involved.

Representatives from existing rail groups, Northern Rail, Network Rail and TfGM have been invited to come and hear the views of local passengers.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Preva Crossley on 01204 63578 or mb07949128126 Email:prevacrossley@talktalk.net.

The Bolton News launched the Let’s Get Back On Track campaign calling for a dramatic improvement to the town’s “cattle truck” rail services now First Trans-Pennine Express runs fewer services to and from Manchester as a result of major work to electrify the Manchester to Preston line.

A busy morning commuter train has also had its carriages reduced from six to just three.

To support the Let’s Get Back On Track campaign, sign the petition which is in our town centre offices and in shops and newsagents around Bolton, or you can download and print your own here: (Let's Get Back on Track petition.pdf).

You can also sign an online petition on our website, and forms are available at The Bolton News office in the Wellsprings building next to the Town Hall.

Please return completed petitions to Let’s Get Back On Track, Editorial Department, The Bolton News, The Wellsprings, Civic Centre, Bolton, BL1 1AR.

If you would like to have a petition in your shop, call 01204 537239. We will be presenting the petition to rail bosses.