OUR campaign against overcrowding on Bolton’s trains has hit 1,000 signatures — and we are taking your concerns all the way to Number 10.

Over the past three months we have been collecting signatures calling for an end to Bolton’s “cattle truck” rail service and asking train bosses to bring back axed carriages during peak hours.

Hundreds of you have thrown your weight behind our Let’s Get Back On Track campaign and shared your horror stories of commuting in cramped carriages.

The petition will be presented to Downing Street on March 5 — the same day as Bolton’s three MPs attend a crunch meeting with the Department for Transport calling for more carriages for “forgotten Bolton commuters”.

David Crausby, MP for Bolton North East, said he was delighted the petition has reached 1,000 signatures and said he would continue to campaign for Bolton to receive a better rail service.

He said: “It’s excellent news and it clearly demonstrates that this is a really important issue for people.

“I’m now looking forward to meeting with the minister and presenting the petition to Number 10.

“We have got to make sure we get these extra carriages — we’ve been promised them for at least the past 17 years, while I’ve been an MP.

“This time we have got to make sure they keep their promises.”

MP for Bolton West Julie Hilling said she was looking forward to the meeting with Patrick McLoughlin MP.

She said: “I’m sure the Secretary of State will listen to us but whether he acts will be another question.

“We’ve got to continue to keep the pressure on the Department for Transport to make sure we have a decent railway in Bolton — and this battle isn’t going to be won in a day.”

And MP for Bolton South East Yasmin Qureshi said she was proud to have been a part of the campaign.

She said: “It’s been absolutely brilliant campaign by The Bolton News, and just what a local newspaper should be doing, standing up for the local people and fighting on the issues that matter.

“Now we’re taking it to Number 10 and I’m looking forward to being with The Bolton News as they present it.”

A reporter and photographer from The Bolton News will be taking the Let’s Get Back On Track petition to Downing Street on March 5 — and we still need as many signatures as possible.

To sign the petition, call into our town centre offices or download your own copy and collect signatures.

People can also sign an online petition here.

Forms can be picked up from 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.