CAMPAIGNERS for a new train station in Golborne put forward their case to a transport chief this week.

Leigh MP Andy Burnham, Wigan Council Leader Lord Peter Smith, and Makerfield MP Ian McCartney, along with other senior Wigan councillors, met with Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority chairman Roger Jones to convince him Golborne needs a station.

Golborne is one of 21 locations identified in the Greater Manchester Local transport Plan as holding potential for one.

While the proposal is feasible in engineering terms, finding a train operator is a challenge for campaigners.

Mr Burnham said: "We had a good meeting with Roger Jones and made a strong case for going ahead with Golborne. We stressed how our area is poorly served for public transport and how, for many, rail travel is simply not an option."

It would cost about two to three million pounds to get the new station up and running, and annual interest charges would amount to between £200,000 and £250,000.

Proposals at this stage indicate the station would be unstaffed and would have a car park and CCTV.

But a major problem lies in the fact no local service runs through Golborne. Creating a suitable 'path' for a minimum half-hourly service along the congested West Coast Main Line is also a big difficulty.

Deputy leader of the council, Cllr Tom Sherratt, said the campaign has been going on for about 20 years. But recently, the proposal has been pushed harder.

Cllr Sherratt said: "A petition was signed by the general public about 12 months ago for a new station, and substantial names were collected."

He added there should be a demand for the service as there are now more people living in the station's catchment areas which include Lowton, Golborne and Ashton-in-Makerfield, than when the last Golborne station shut in 1964.

Golborne was once served by two rail stations. -- Golborne South and Golborne North. The proposed station would be on the old Golborne South site.