FURIOUS East Lancashire MPs have demanded that North Western trains put new stock and new services on the East Lancashire line.

Company managing director Peter Strachan has announced that there would be dozens of extra trains on most of the lines run by the company. He said there would be 47 extra services each weekday and 63 more on Saturdays.

The extra services will run between the North West and London, Manchester and Preston, which will enjoy a 20-minute service either way and the Manchester, Bolton and Wigan corridor.

Mr Strachan said that this was fulfilling a promise to introduce more train services for customers. But East Lancashire MPs are furious that their line from Preston through Accrington and Blackburn to Burnley, Nelson and Colne has been ignored.

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope, said: "I am absolutely furious. This is a vital commuter line to thousands of my constituents and equally important to everyone else.

"For too long this has been the poor relation of North West railways. Something must be done. The East Lancashire line is in urgent need of new stock, new trains and new services and I shall be writing to Mr Strachan to demand to know what is being done."

Burnley MP Peter Pike said: "I am very angry indeed. This is a crucial service to my constituents for both leisure and business. I shall be writing to Mr Strachan seeking assurances that we will not be left out."

Pendle MP Gordon Prentice said: "This is a lifeline to many of my constituents. It is appalling that it has been left out. I am incandescent. I shall be writing to Mr Strachan and demanding to know what will be done to upgrade the line which vitally needs investment and more trains."

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