A GROUP of councillors has banded together to call for the improvement and expansion of parking facilities at four Bolton stations.

The councillors say parking at Daisy Hill, Westhoughton , Blackrod and Horwich Parkway railway stations is fully occupied by 7.30am or 8.00am every working day.

The campaign sees representatives from Westhoughton South David Chadwick and Anna-Marie Watters join councillors from Horwich and Blackrod, Ann Cunliffe and Stephen Pickup.

They say the situation means that people are forced to look for alternative parking or must drive into Manchester or other areas, increasing traffic on roads.

Cllr Chadwick said: "We will be lobbying hard for Transport for Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to accept our combined plea that these stations need this extra provision urgently. We need to futureproof and encourage more people to use the train rather than cause more congestion on the road network."

Cllr Cunliffe added: “I receive continuous complaints from residents about the inadequate parking provision at both Horwich Parkway and Blackrod Stations.

"We need to combat both the existing issue and the future demand of the predicted increase in population. I would personally like to see a multi storey parking provision at Horwich Parkway and increased car parking at Blackrod Station."

Previously, Bolton MP Sir David Crausby has called for further parking at Bromley Cross station, saying it is consistently "blocked up" with cars.