LOCAL MPs Andy Burnham and Ian McCartney presented a petition to Parliament signed by 1,800 people calling for a new railway station to be built in Golborne.

The MPs for Leigh and Ashton-in-Makerfield believe a rail station is desperately needed in the village, and said that local people were "crying out" for better public transport.

They have sent a copy of the petition to transport bosses at the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, who said they needed to be persuaded that there was a demand for a rail station before they would fund the project.

And Mr Burnham and Mr McCartney have written to all the companies shortlisted by the Strategic Rail Authority to provide services for the new Northern Franchise, to tell them about the petition and the strong public support for a new service through Golborne to Warrington and Manchester.

Mr Burnham said: "I don't believe there can be an area of the North West as poorly served by rail as ours. People are crying out for better public transport, as shown by the strength of support for our petition.

"Getting a new rail station at Golborne is one of my top priorities. There is a station at Golborne, which was closed in the 1960s and the railway lines are still there, so it would not need a massive amount of investment to redevelop the site.

"In the last ten years, many commuters have moved into Lowton and Golborne area, yet they have no option but to jump into their cars every morning and join queues on the East Lancs' Road. A new station in Golborne would be a catalyst for its redevelopment."

Mr McCartney said: "Golborne needs a station, Golborne deserves a station, and the campaign train has left the platform and will not stop until we get our station."

The MPs now need to persuade transport bosses from the GMPTE to fund the new station from its £70 million 'Transport Infrastructure Fund', earmarked for public transport improvements.