A BOLTON railway station could have one of its former platforms repurposed if proposals are deemed value for money.

Lostock Parkway currently only serves passengers travelling on the line between Manchester and Preston but new plans could see platforms commissioned which would allow trains travelling to Wigan to stop there.

A station has existed on the land around Lostock Junction since 1852, but the station was closed during the Beeching cuts of the 1960s. When it was reopened in 1988 it no longer served Wigan-bound trains.

The plans are currently in their very early stages as bosses at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) consider reopening a number of rail and Metrolink stations across the borough.

In a statement accompanying the launch of yesterday's draft Transport Strategy Deliver Plan, a TfGM spokesman said: "TfGM is currently evaluating the feasibility of potential new rail stations and Metrolink stops in Greater Manchester, with a view to developing more detailed plans for a small number of stations that are likely to deliver the greatest value for money."

Adding: "The aim would be to deliver the schemes that offer the greatest benefits within the shortest possible timelines."

Bolton Council transport lead Cllr David Chadwick was positive about the scheme but said judgement should be withheld until the full costs of such a large infrastructure project become clear.

"It's something worth considering," he explained. "I'm not sure what the costs would be to connect other platforms to the existing platforms but I think it's a case that TfGM need to do the sums to see if these aspirations would be possible."

Other projects to be developed include a Bolton-wide walking and cycling route.