NORTHERN has been put "on notice" that their franchise is in jeopardy.

Political leaders including Bolton's Cllr Linda Thomas, have agreed they will formally request the removal of the rail operators franchise if certain conditions are not met in the coming months.

The Greater Manchester Combine Authority met yesterday and the region's mayor Andy Burnham put the proposal forward.

Cllr Thomas agreed with the proposal but called for the leaders to request the franchise's removal immediately.

Cllr Thomas said: "Everywhere was hit badly but Bolton was hit particularly badly because we have no access to a tram. If you want people to get out of their cars and reduce carbon emissions I'm afraid there's very little alternative."

Mr Burnham admitted his approach was more "patient" and highlighted that some of the responsibility for the failures rests with Network Rail.

He said: "It's very clear they are on notice and if this doesn't change in the six months ahead our position will be abundantly clear. I assure you I will prosecute it with vigour."

Mr Burnham proposed seeing how electrification, due by the beginning of December, impacted the service and allowing until May for Northern to deliver its promised timetable.

Introducing his proposal Mr Burnham was damning in his assessment of Northern and the rail infrastructure.

He said: "Performance has stablised which you can see as a good thing but it's way below what it was this time last year and it wasn't great this time last year. This is not acceptable progress from my point of view."

He advised taking the deadlines for electrification and timetable rollout with a "pinch of salt", something Cllr Thomas agreed with.

She said: "I think Bolton people are fed up hearing about it, I don't think they believe them." She called for the GMCA to "take a stand" on behalf of the people of Greater Manchester.