INDEPENDENT hopeful and former pit electrician John Sumner reckons its time to reopen local coal mines.

But he isn't suggesting a return to deep mining -- just a solution to road transport chaos.

Next Thursday Mr Sumner, 42, of Platt Street will stand as an independent fighting for a Leigh East ward seat on Wigan Council.

And he feels Richard Branson might be interested in operating a rail system linking Wigan to Manchester, joining the Metrolink at Salford.

Father of two Mr Sumner reckons there is room among decision makers for the ordinary man in the street, and space below the streets for a public transport system.

"The proposed guided busway is unnecessary and a complete waste of money," he says. "Improvement of existing services is all that's needed.

"Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority say they want opinions on a £600 million local transport plan. That money could be put to good use developing an underground system using existing mining tunnels and industry expertise.

"Conservationists wouldn't see any change in the countryside and environmentalists wouldn't have to worry about exhaust emissions.

"And there would be welcome work for a lot of local people."