New Sunday services for rail line

The trains will run between Wigan Wallgate and Manchester Victoria

Sunday services are to be introduced on the only Greater Manchester railway line currently without them.

From May, people living in the Atherton and Walkden areas will be able to use a new Northern Rail service between Wigan Wallgate and Manchester Victoria.

Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) agreed to fund the service at a meeting last week.

It will be reviewed at a later date to decide whether it should continue beyond May 2011.

Line anomaly

It is proposed the service will run hourly, with the last train departing from Manchester shortly after 1800 GMT.

Trains will run between Wigan Wallgate and Manchester Victoria, via Atherton and Walkden.

GMITA Chair, Councillor Keith Whitmore, said: "This decision means that more of Greater Manchester's passengers will now have the opportunity to enjoy Sunday rail travel.

"And [it] brings to an end an anomaly in that the Atherton line is currently the only line in Greater Manchester without a Sunday service."