Oldham’s only main rail station could have a half-hourly train service if it gains enough public support.

For more than a decade the Greenfield Rail Action Group has been campaigning for an all-day half-hourly service at Greenfield.

Their chair, Mark Ashmore, said there had recently been a big improvement in rolling stock but frequency of trains remained at just one an hour outside morning and evening weekday peak periods.

In January the Department for Transport published the Manchester Recovery Task Force Consultation which aims to undo much of the chaos caused by the May 2018 timetable change which affected local and North of England train services.

Mr Ashmore said: “The consultation paper presents a series options including one projected to produce the greatest increase in punctuality and resilience across the rail network and greater benefits to more of the stations in the Greater Manchester Region, including Greenfield.

“That option would give Greenfield a half-hourly service throughout the day to Manchester Piccadilly and Huddersfield and an hourly train to Leeds."

He added: “This would be achieved by having the current Hull train stopping at Greenfield throughout the day.

"It would also provide for a half-hourly service beginning at Stalybridge to Southport via Victoria, Salford Central and Salford Crescent.”

Mr Ashmore went on: “We now have an opportunity to get the train service that Saddleworth deserves and I urge individuals and Community Groups to respond by sending their submissions giving their reasons for supporting our favoured option to performancerecoverytaskforce@dft.gov.uk by March 10 at the latest.”

The 35-page report containing all the consultation questions can be read at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/951401/manchester-recovery-task-force-public-consultation.pdf

The action group chair added: “It would be helpful if you could copy (bcc) in the Secretary of the Rail Action Group royce.franklin1@btinternet.com to your submission to gauge the level of support for this initiative.”