THE prime minister says he is delighted that extra capacity is now available on Bolton’s morning commuter trains after a campaign by The Bolton News.

Mr Cameron wrote a pledge to Bolton News readers last year saying there would be 200 extra seats provided on a busy morning service by the end of the year.

Three months after the promised date, Northern Rail has confirmed that its 8.20am service to Manchester is now carrying two extra carriages.

While undoubtedly a welcome boost to frustrated commuters, the extra capacity will not quite deliver the prime minister’s promise, with Northern Rail saying it will offer up to 200 extra places —including standing room.

The announcement comes after The Bolton News’ Let’s Get Back on Track campaign, during which we took a petition calling for better trains in Bolton, signed by 1,400 angry commuters, to Downing Street.

Mr Cameron said: “I’m delighted that the extra capacity is finally available.

“This delivers on the commitment I made to Bolton News readers to increase the number of seats for commuters.

“This is all part of a long-term economic plan for the area, delivered by the Conservatives in government and I commend The Bolton News for its Let’s Get Back on Track campaign.”

The campaign was backed heavily by the borough’s three MPs and David Crausby, who is standing for re-election for Labour in Bolton North East, said: “I’m very pleased that we have got extra seats — but it isn’t 200 seats, it is places and I think people want to sit down.

“Bolton people work very hard and I won’t be satisfied until we get what we are entitled to and everyone can sit down on the way to and from work.”

A spokesman for Northern Rail said: “We can confirm that our 8.20am service from Preston to Hazel Grove, which reaches Bolton at 08.56am is now running with four carriages instead of two — providing space for up to 200 more people on the service.”