NORTHERN RAIL TRAIN SERVICE, ADLINGTON TO MANCHESTER

That this House notes with concern the decision taken by Northern Rail to alter the timetable for trains between Adlington and Manchester; recognises that the new timetable, to come into effect on 13 December 2008, will result in a reduced service for passengers at Adlington, in addition to the majority of trains being re-routed to Manchester Victoria as opposed to Manchester Deansgate, Oxford Road and Piccadilly; expresses grave concern that this decision has been taken with no prior consultation with rail users, and that a poorer service to and from Manchester will result, forcing more people to use their cars at the same time as people are being encouraged to use public transport with the onset of the Manchester Congestion Charge; and calls on Northern Rail to consult passengers with a view to improving and increasing the number of trains from Adlington to Manchester.