Lib Dems push for commitment to more regular trains at Greenfield station

The failure of Network Rail to confirm that Greenfield Station will get two stopping trains an hour to Manchester is on the table at Oldham’s Full Council this week [10/12/2025].

Councillor Helen Bishop has submitted a question asking for a commitment from the Council to support two stopping trains per hour to Manchester.

Councillor Bishop, who recently led a public meeting on the Transpennine Upgrade plans in Uppermill, said that it was vital that as part of the works, a proper commitment was made to delivering a better service.

She said: “We are looking at years of pain for Saddleworth’s residents, and at the end of it, they haven’t been promised any better service. That’s simply not good enough.

“Greenfield gets much more footfall than many other stations, yet gets a much worse service. We want a firm commitment to two trains an hour from Greenfield – one to Piccadilly, and one to Victoria, and return services.” 

Statistics from the Stalybridge to Huddersfield Rail User Group show that Greenfield currently has annual usage figures of over 350,000, yet a station such as Batley – which gets two stopping trains per hour – has only 227,000. 

Councillor Bishop added: “We have asked this question at Council before, and got no answer. I’m fighting for better public transport for the people of Saddleworth, and I think Oldham Council should do so too.”