GOLBORNE travellers could soon be back on track as part of a public transport revival.

By Christmas, feedback from a local survey could determine whether or not Golborne gets a rail station.

A new rail study jointly backed by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority and North Western Trains will examine track stop topics.

Initial findings from the study will aim to identify travel demand in Golborne and help establish proposals for satisfying this demand.

GMPTA Chairman and Atherton Councillor Joe Clarke said:"I'm delighted the Authority and North Western Trains have been able to fund this new study.

"The Authority is keen to work in partnership with North Western trains to improve services in the Golborne area and we are pleased with this major step forward.

"We are looking forward to working closely together to improve train services and attract more people back on to our rail network."

But Cllr Clarke said whether Golborne enjoyed a rail revival depended on study findings and locals' travel patterns."

A GMPTA spokesman said:"The study will examine all possibilities and by Christmas we will have an idea of user demand. It is very much a preliminary survey.

"We are going to have to talk to local people to get their opinions."

Cllr Clarke felt a guided bus route was favourite to ease predicted congestion if the ambitious Xanadu project goes ahead.

He said improved quality bus services and guided bus routes would be much easier and cheaper to implement than expensive heavy or light rail links.

But Cllr Clarke didn't rule out the possibility of extended rail links in the longer term.

He stressed:"Traffic congestion is now so bad that things have got to happen."

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