That would cost a lot more than £55million and would terminate at the arches in Leigh town centre.

Matt to use that tunnel the link would have to cross the bypass in order to terminate at the opposite corner to the fire station.

It's being linked to the existing Manchester-Liverpool line so up towards Kenyon, I think.


Depends on whereabouts the tunnel is on the Lancs, I can't completely remember but have heard it mentioned so then it would run parallel with the bypass 'extension' on the Leigh side.

The tunnel is west of the bypass , on the same side as the fire station

Is there not another one further down? Only going off what I've been told, not really done much reading in to it as my train journeys are almost exclusively to Scotland and would therefore be just as quick and cheap to get the bus to Bolton/Wigan rather than a train in to Manchester and then possibly switching stations.

I could be at the ground in just under 2 hours with no car and a thirst to rival Lawrence of Arabias.

Full details here www.transportforleigh.org.uk/Tra ... lcome.html

Full details here www.transportforleigh.org.uk/Tra ... lcome.html

Quote ="DaisyHillLeyther"Full details here www.transportforleigh.org.uk/Tra ... lcome.html'" Thanks for that DHL - very comprehensive and illuminating. The planned rail route would go under tha East Lancs via the old 'tunnel'/bridge on the 'Cheshire' line that eventually passed through Lowton St Mary's station. It would then run parallel to the East Lancs Rd, to the By Pass, cross under the By Pass and run parallel to its East side, with a station opposite the fire station - on the South side of St Helens Rd.

Quote ="DaisyHillLeyther"Full details here www.transportforleigh.org.uk/Tra ... lcome.html'" Thanks for that DHL - very comprehensive and illuminating. The planned rail route would go under tha East Lancs via the old 'tunnel'/bridge on the 'Cheshire' line that eventually passed through Lowton St Mary's station. It would then run parallel to the East Lancs Rd, to the By Pass, cross under the By Pass and run parallel to its East side, with a station opposite the fire station - on the South side of St Helens Rd.

So from that the only major engineering work would be to go beneath the bypass? It'd obviously need massive work on the infrastructure around the station though, not to mention potential NIMBY opposition.

Well, it would be just behind us, but I'm in favour.

I'm sure there will be house price related opposition, though I'm sure the increase in noise would surely be offset by suddenly being flung in to the commuter belt for both Liverpool and Manchester.

They reckon that easier access to Liverpool & Manchester would improve house prices.

I can't see how this is an improvement on the original 'Xanadu' idea.

Which is better? Catch a bus from Leigh town centre to a station which is a dead end junction on a branch line with only a terminus. This must mean very infrequent trains so no one will bother with it.

Or extend the bypass to Kenyon and build a station there that is actually on the main line and has quick links from Leigh.

On the point of NIMBY opposition I live in Culcheth and feel the second idea would be mostly welcomed here.

I still think the old line should be re-opened, from the centre of Leigh start at bond street just follow the route through Tyldesley take a left past Woodland Cemetery and connecting to the Atherton - Manchester line just before Walkden Railway Station. The route is easy to follow on Google map. This gives a rail link to Leigh and Tyldesley.

It can't be re-opened. Various Councils over the years have built houses on what was the old line. That's why they were planning to have the misguided busway instead of a train or tram in the first place.

Wigan Council have over the years allowed an unbelievable number of houses to be built in the Astley/Tyldesley area. A train from Leigh to
Kenyon isn't going to help.

Before you get too excited, read the letters in the journal. It appears the elected representatives are the stumbling block. Lord Smith of Leigh, the only chance of a train station is to vote them out.

Not got a Journal but if thats correct when are the next local by-elections?.

Or catch a bus too Atherton and catch a train from there which would save roughly £52m. Simples

The busway follows the same route, there are no houses on the old line, follow it on google map

A train from Leigh would probably take half the time as it would from the Atherton staion with the number of stops.

I take it the Atherton station is on the line from Liverpool to Manchester ?

It`s on the Kirby to Man/Victoria line as opposed to the proposed link up which would be Liverpool to Man/Oxford Rd.

The old Leigh line used to go to Newton-Le-Willows/Earlstown, we had friends who had to leave the Casino early to get the last train, we then had to ask if they would let us back in.

do we have any proof or any more proof as to weather this is true or not?.

Local politicians are a joke, indeed our MP was until the current one started to get things built in the town. They are recruited from bus drivers and bin men, and no disrespect to those professions, and voted in by folk loyally ticking the labour box without asking what policies they have.
Look at our town centre planners, they have driven shoppers away from the town with stupidity and lack of vision. Although Leigh has won an award for Bargain shops and fast food

The cherry on the cake is the traffic lights, the lack of filter lanes and the joke at the top of Lord st.
We need some sort of campaign to let these fools know what the taxpayers want.

The railway station will never happen. The Manchester/Liverpool line is being electrified to speed the journey of the trains between the two citites. A de-tour to Leigh would make the journey just as long, so would not have any speed benefits to the Liverpool/Manchester route. Complete non-starter I'm afraid.