LEIGH could get back its railway station as part of a package of transport improvements if the 2,500 job creating Xanadu project goes ahead.

Council chief Peter Smith conceded at a public meeting called by the 'Skis for Leigh' group that the main problem generated by the snow dome would be getting a projected five millions visitors to and from the site.

There are 20 million people within a 90-minute drive time of the planned site.

And Cllr Smith said: "There will have to be road improvements and the idea that five million people will visit the site each year, all arriving by private car, will not work," said Cllr Smith.

He added that the council would be talking to GMPTE about a modern guided bus route creating speedy travel between Leigh and Manchester.

And a 'heavy rail link' would be a priority.

"Most of the line of the railway has been preserved," said Cllr Smith.

Another project spin-off could be a new, integrated transport system based on Wigan NW Station.

"We are working very hard to get a maximum number of people going to Xanadu by public transport," said Cllr Smith.

Moorfield Estates director Alex McLachan said there had been a detailed traffic impact study showing that most of the traffic would arrive via the motorway and East Lancs Road.

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