BOLTON needs to have a better transport network according to some residents in Heaton and Lostock.

Comments about the lack of Metrolink service to Bolton were raised at the Heaton and Lostock Area Forum.

Dr Margaret Collier said: “There has been a consultation by Transport for Greater Manchester that takes us on for the next 25 years but there is no mention of any Metrolink connection to Bolton.

“Bolton seems to have missed out on this quasi tube system that is linking the rest of Greater Manchester.

“In Lostock I can struggle to get a train. I think we need to be much more proactive in Bolton in general to get better connected. We want to be well connected as opposed to just being a side kick to Manchester with poorer jobs and poorer people.”

However, not all the residents at the meeting, held at Heaton and Lostock Children’s Centre, wanted a tram system.

Local resident John Gillatt said: “I don’t think that Metrolink is the answer to Bolton’s transport problems. A better railway service would be a much better answer.

“No way will we get a Metrolink service to Bolton while we have the railway service. On paper, Bolton has a very good railway service but it is the fact you get trains with two carriages and trains that are delayed.

“Bury had a train service in to Manchester now it has Metrolink and it takes twice as long. The trams stop more frequently and they don’t go at the same speed.”

Dr Collier added: “I am quite willing to say never mind about the Metrolink if we can have a better rail service.

“But I do think we need something a lot better than what we have currently got.”