THE Transport Secretary says Bolton will soon reap the rewards of “unprecedented” investment into the town’s rail network.

Promised improvements to the capacity of trains between Bolton and Manchester are “happening and happening now”, according to government minister Chris Grayling.

On a campaign visit to support Bolton North East Tory candidate James Daly today, Mr Grayling visited Bromley Cross train station and was also shown traffic congestion on Blackburn Road.

Three years ago, former Prime Minister David Cameron made a pledge to put 200 extra seats on Bolton’s rush-hour trains — but commuters remain hugely frustrated at the lack of significant improvements on overcrowded services.

Mr Grayling said that the benefits of the new Northern Rail franchise will be evident “over the next couple of years”.

He added: “It will be the biggest modernisation programme across this part of Greater Manchester and the whole of the North for decades.

“It will mean new trains, longer trains, more capacity, thousands of extra seats into Manchester during rush hour.

“All of the old pacer trains are going. Much as I would love to say that you can wave a wand overnight and change things, we have got a structured programme now and people will start to see the trains change over the next couple of years.

“By the end of this decade, all the trains will have been replaced and we will have all of the modern trains we should have in an area like this.”

Northern Rail bosses recently promised that their service would be completely transformed by 2020.

Mr Grayling said that he was “very open” to the prospect of introducing morning and evening services between Bolton and London, and also backed the idea of a joined-up ticketing service that would connect trains, buses, and trams across Greater Manchester.

He added: “The investment we are putting into Bolton and elsewhere is unprecedented.

“Can I promise that there will be a seat for everyone at peak times? I wish I could, but I can’t.

“In and around a busy city, the demand is rising so fast. But what we can do is provide a modern train with air conditioning and wi-fi and do our best to make sure as many people as possible do get seats.

“I make no apologies for the fact that this is a step change. People would always like more but compared to what we have had, this is going to be much better.”

The Transport Secretary added that a Tory government would put “significant” investment into new bypass roads.

Mr Daly said: “I would be a strong advocate to ensure the huge investment made by the Conservative government in the rail network around Bolton supports the regeneration of the town centre and economic prosperity within the borough.”

However, Labour candidate Sir David Crausby — a long-term campaigner for improved rail services — is unconvinced by the Tories’ credentials.

He said: “The Tories have made promise after promise for trains in Bolton and have broken every one of them.

“I will keep campaigning on this issue but I will only believe what the government says it will do when I actually see it.”

Warren Fox, who is standing for the Lib Dems in Bolton North East, said he was tired of “lip service” and “false promises of investment that never materialise” from the Tories and Labour.