TRAIN travellers will now be able to journey from Bolton to Scotland in one trip for the first time in six years.

Rail firm TransPennine Express (TPE) yesterday launched the first of a new set of daily services which travel between Manchester Airport, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The trains mean passengers can reach a number of new stops, including the Lake District, Carlisle and Haymarket.

However, they will only be available during off-peak hours and will not take commuters between Bolton and Manchester. Passengers coming from the direction of Scotland will be able to disembark but those waiting in Bolton will not be allowed to board.

This includes six trains each day on weekdays and an expanded service on weekends.

Jeff Davies, chair of the Bolton Rail Users Group, said he was pleased that more journeys would be available from Bolton but that he hoped the initial launch would lead to more services in future.

“We’re delighted to have the Scottish services back and be able to travel with TransPennine Express again,” he said. “But, we regret that it’s only a partial service with only a few trains. We assume this is just them dipping their toes in the water and will be the precursor to us getting a full service.”

Campaigners from the Rail Users Group have been pushing for the return of Scottish services since the route was diverted to Wigan in 2013.

The trains were stopped when work began to electrify railway lines through Bolton. Despite this project finally being completed earlier this year, TPE has been waiting for clarification from to confirm trains can travel at 100mph on the line.

A TPE spokesman said: “We’re really please that those travelling to and from Bolton now benefit from improved connectivity and additional journey opportunities to Preston, Lancaster, Oxenholme, Penrith, Carlisle, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Our Anglo-Scottish services now stop at Bolton during off-peak hours and will be pick up and set down only, meaning only those making long-distance journeys will be able to board or leave the train here.”