WEEKEND train services are set to return to Bolton after a five-month absence.

There will be three to four trains per hour from tomorrow as Trinity Street train station re-opens to weekend passengers.

The station has been closed at weekends since the start of May as engineers work to enlarge the Farnworth Tunnel ahead of electrification of the line next year.

The complex engineering project — which has also had a knock on effect on the town's roads and was due to be completed last week — is now set to continue until December.

But despite this delay, rail chiefs last night confirmed that a reduced weekend service will return to Bolton.

Northern Rail has published a new weekend timetable which begins tomorrow and it includes trains between Bolton and Manchester three or four times an hour.

It will be a big boost to passengers who have been suffering journeys of more than 90 minutes from Bolton to Manchester Piccadilly by road due to M60 roadworks and heavy city-centre traffic.

In comparison, the rail journey takes 25 minutes.

Those living close to Horwich Parkway and Bolton stations can enjoy an added bonus as for the next three weekends, starting a week tomorrow, an additional direct service will call at Huddersfield, Leeds, York, Durham and Newcastle.

This is because trains are being diverted from the Barrow and Blackpool to Newcastle lines due to work taking place.

It is believed this is the first time that passengers have been able to travel direct from Bolton to the five destinations.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “On October 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31 and November 1, there will be engineering works taking place on the line on which the Barrow and Blackpool to Newcastle service runs.

“As a result, the trains will be diverted via Preston, Buckshaw Parkway, Chorley, Horwich and Bolton.”

Bolton Council’s Cabinet Member for highways, transport and community services, Cllr David Chadwick, said: “The return of weekend trains is fantastic news.

“It is good for the travelling public, who have had to cope with no trains at weekends through Bolton for the last few months.

“People have been inconvenienced by the engineering work that has been going on, particularly football fans going to watch home games at Manchester United and Manchester City.

“Anything that helps people get into Manchester city centre quicker has to be a good thing.”

WEEKEND TRAINS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Services will start running again at weekends from tomorrow

No weekend trains have been running since May

There will be three or four trains per hour between Bolton and Manchester

For the next three weekends, there will also be direct trains from Bolton to Huddersfield, Leeds, York, Durham and Newcastle, believed to be the first time that passengers have been able to travel directly to those locations

A limited service will continue in the week until the delayed Farnworth Tunnels project is completed, which should be December