Further calls are being made to create a direct train link from Bolton to London, with an MP taking the message to the highest levels of government.

Bolton is the largest town in the country without a direct train service to the capital, and with the recent electrification of the line, town leaders have upped calls to bring the line back.

Currently, people wanting to travel by train from Bolton to London have to get a train to either Manchester Piccadilly, Wigan, or Preston, before changing to a direct train to London, at a much higher cost.

These calls coincide with the government’s announcement to create a new state-owned body, Great British Railways, which will be set up by 2023 and oversee rail transport in Britain.

Bolton North East MP Mark Logan has raised the issue in parliament and with senior ministers multiple times since this announcement.

On May 20, Mr Logan asked the secretary of state for transport Grant Shapps in the House: “Can the Secretary of State harness Great British Railways to make it the legend that brings a direct line train from London to Bolton?”

Mr Shapps responded: “The great thing about Great British Railways looking after all these different elements is that it will be able to use the track more intelligently.

“I do not know, but I very much hope that one day that might lead to a train direct to Bolton,” he added.

Last week Mr Logan met Chris Heaton-Harris the minister of state for the department of transport, to discuss the possibility of a direct line to the capital.

Mr Logan told The Bolton News: “This is very much part of Bolton’s reinvention, to entice more entrepreneurs and established global businesses to set-up shop in Bolton.

“I’ve raised the question on two occasions in the chamber and met with the Minister of State to get the cogs in motion,” Mr Logan added.

“Improving connectivity and travel infrastructure is a priority for me, and I have secured a feasibility study for the extension of the Metrolink, connecting Bolton to Greater Manchester,” Mr Logan said.

Prof Paul Salveson, from the South East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership, said: “It’s a very strong aspiration for us to bring this service back for Bolton.”

“The line is still there and was recently electrified which was always the stumbling block in the past.

“There are still capacity issues but we definitely think they could be overcome, we’re only asking for one train each day in either direction to start with to build from there.

“Having the service to London would definitely create a great perception for the town and encourage more people and businesses to relocate from London to big towns like Bolton.

“We are very supporting of this move and are working as hard as we can with operators and the council to keep pushing for this.”

Cllr Stuart Haslam, Bolton’s transport cabinet member, has often said the town is at a disadvantage to others in Greater Manchester.

He said in December last year: “Rail transport is an essential prerequisite for the regeneration of Bolton and its economy.

“Bolton is in the north of the conurbation is at a distinct disadvantage compared with the south of GM in terms of access to London, the West Midlands and other main economic centres.”

Up to the early 1990s Bolton had a through service to London but it was withdrawn under franchising deals.