Laws for animals but not humans!

5.30.10pm GMT Mon 19th Feb 2007

Congested - the train from Rochdale to Manchester at peak time!

Lib Dem Transport Spokesperson - Paul Rowen MP joined forces with Rochdale Lib Dem Representative on the GMPTA - Councillor Peter Davison to highlight the congestion on our early morning trains. The pair caught the early morning commuter train from Rochdale to Manchester and were both shocked at the conditions.

Councillor Peter Davison said, "People commuting from Littleborough, Smithy Bridge, Rochdale and Castleton face intolerable conditions on our trains and the aim of this was to highlight their problems and press for action. There is clearly not enough provision for them and the way they are packed onto the train must be tackled by Northern Rail as it's not safe and tempers flare as people try and crush onto trains. There was absolutely no room to manoeuvre and it is quite obvious that there needs to be either more frequent trains or more carriages. I will be raising this issue with the GMPTA to see how, as an authority we can improve this and put pressure on Northern Rail to sort this situation out. The conditions would shame a third world country and I praise those passengers for ignoring their cars. I would have thought with the prices recently increasing the service should be dramatically improved."

Rochdale MP - Paul Rowen who has raised the issue of overcrowding on our trains in Parliament said, "This was certainly an eye opener - I regularly travel on public transport in London and it is quite obvious that there needs to be a dramatic improvement. I spoke about this recently in Parliament, making the point that the government has introduced legislation preventing overcrowding of animals on trains but seem reluctant to do the same for people! The overcrowding of this and other trains at rush hour is dangerous and this type of service will just drive people back into their cars. The atmosphere on the train was fraught and just remember, the return journey is as bad for them."

Paul continued, "I don't have any axe to grind with Northern Rail, in fact I think since they took over the service has improved dramatically. What is needed though is huge investment in train services and I will continue to push for this. The trains are heavily subsidised, prices are high and are obviously hugely over subscribed at Peak Times so we need to see money going back in. Maybe if Northern Rail had a longer franchise they would be willing to do this. We are currently having a debate on Congestion Charging and this journey highlighted the fact that we are long way from providing an affordable, quality and safe journey for our residents. That is one of the key tests that needs to be met before the debate on Congestion Charging moves on and I will presenting a report of my findings to Northern Rail, the GMPTA and the Department of Transport."

Hilary Rodgers - a regular commuter to Manchester said, "This is getting worse although I am used to the cramped conditions on board trains to Manchester - it can be even worse at night. I drive, but take the train to be environmentally friendly - if it gets much worse I'll have to make a decision whether I have to drive to work to avoid the twice daily crush!"