Bolton West MP Chris Green has today asked the Transport Minister to investigate whether any rolling stock can be added to the area’s rail routes ahead of its electrification.
Speaking in the House of Commons, the MP said:
“Rail commuters in my constituency have been putting up with severe overcrowding for many years.
“The electrification of part of Bolton’s network is welcome news, but it’s been delayed by a year. Because of this delay, can the Government examine whether there is any rolling stock available to alleviate this overcrowding?”
Transport Minister, the Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP, replied:
“I can say that we are looking at all problems relating to rolling stock as a result of any delays in the finalisation of electrification.
“There is a large amount of new rolling stock which is coming onto our railways over the next five years not least the new IEP trains. But also the new trains on the Thames link, the Siemens contract which is being developed at the moment and coming into operation later this year.”