REGIONAL rail chiefs have welcomed the news that the train line through Bolton is to be electrified, but warned more needs to be done to ease chronic congestion.

Earlier this week, Transport Secretary Lord Adonis visited Bolton to announce the line from Preston to Manchester would be part of an extended electrification programme.

But Cllr Keith Whitmore, chairman of the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority, said: “The rail networks around Manchester are already operating at capacity which, coupled with the need for additional carriages to meet demand, places a strain on services.

“Our railways need to be able to deliver on all counts — punctuality, capacity, service quality and journey times — otherwise the growth of our city region will be stifled.”