THE Leigh branch of UKIP has criticised the recently published Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040.

The document outlines plans for transport development over many years in the future.

UKIP constituency spokesman Mark Bradley said: 'It is shameful that the only time the word Leigh is found in the entire Greater Manchester transport development plan is on a map and in regard to the finished busway.

“Why are there no plans to allow Leigh residents access to the national rail network?

“Leigh is the largest town in the whole of the north of England without access to the rail network, yet the long term plan has no plans to address the issue, despite a railway two miles south of the town centre.”

For more information about the plans visit tfgm.com/2040/Pages/strategy/index.html.