[from\nthe Oldham Evening Chronicle, 14 December 2020]<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite\nthe pandemic, the campaigning Greenfield Rail Action Group (GRAG) have set\nan agenda to continue their battle for better services at\nOldham\u2019s only mainline rail station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The\ngroup say since March travellers have been openly discouraged from travelling\nby public transport, with working from home becoming the\nnorm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The\nresult is grossly overcrowded trains have given way to almost empty\ncarriages where social distancing is easily achieved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark Ashmore, Chair of the Group, said: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Since its formation nearly 10 years ago the group has built meaningful relationships with providers, and these need to continue in order to maintain and improve the service at Greenfield station.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
At\nthe virtual group meeting, they endorsed their aims:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1.\nThe trans-Pennine line is the most important rail link between North-West\nEngland, Yorkshire and the North-East – the long promised full\nelectrification of the linethrough Greenfield needs urgent delivery if the\nlevelling-up agenda of the government is to be achieved.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
2.\nContinued liaison with the rail groups at Mossley, Marsden and Slaithwaite to\nensure all the groups are working to the same agenda.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
3.\nContinued liaison with the train operating companies, Trans-Pennine Express and\nNorthern.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
4.\nContinued campaigning for a half-hourly service throughout the day and\nrestoration of the direct link to Manchester Victoria.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
5.\nContinued liaison with Transport for Greater Manchester, Transport for the\nNorth and similar bodies.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
6.\nFull disabled access at Greenfield Station.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
7.\nSupport Diggle residents campaigning for a new local station.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
8.\nCheaper train fares between West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester by removing\nthe \u201ctunnel tax\u201d which massively increases cross-boundary fares.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. Air Quality Control and Climate Change – as well as campaigning for electrification this includes improving connectivity between bus and train. Links worked well until earlier this year when Transport for Greater Manchester changed local bus routes, ending the connection timings at Greenfield station.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oldham News | Main News | Rail campaign group to continue their battle – Oldham Chronicle (oldham-chronicle.co.uk)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
[from the Oldham Evening Chronicle, 14 December 2020] Despite the pandemic, the campaigning Greenfield Rail Action Group (GRAG) have set an agenda to continue their battle for better services at Oldham\u2019s only mainline rail station. The group say since March travellers have been … Continue reading