PLANS to overhaul train routes - which would bolster services in Bolton - have been blasted by town hall chiefs in neighbouring Wigan.

Under a proposed shake-up the hourly fast trains from Cumbria to Manchester Airport, currently going through Wigan, will divert to Bolton instead.

Three different options have been drawn up by the Department of Transport, each preferring Bolton over its GM rival.

But the exercise has been heavily criticised by Wigan Council, where leaders also say peak and off-peak services through Atherton will also be hit.

Cllr David Molyneux, Wigan Council leader, said: "The taskforce was supposed to recommend improvements to rail services, not make an already poor service worse

" If approved, these options would have catastrophic consequences for local commuters and businesses and would seriously hamper our aspirations for world class connections that support long-term, sustainable economic growth and access to opportunity for all."

Consultation documents say under one option there would be four trains per hour linking Bolton to the south of Manchester.

Another would see more Scotland to Manchester Airport trains call at Bolton. The deadline for views is Wednesday, March 10.