JOHN Gridland, Transport for the North chairman, in the ‘I’ newspaper last month stated that ‘for the first time recommendations on what and where transport investment is needed will be agreed by the people that live and work in the north, allowing us to speak with a unified voice’.

This is in line with the Government and Network Rail claims that they are improving public transport and ‘opening up local lines’.

The news, therefore, that our railway station at Sankey is to be downgraded to peak time travel only contradicts those pledges.

Our station has been operating since 1875 (144 years) and off peak travel has increased annually.

The explanation for this downgrade is that Chapelford Village, a relatively new development, was promised a station and that promise is being kept – but at the expense of Great Sankey, Penketh and surrounding areas resulting in the need to take the car into ever increasing traffic on the already saturated roads, increasing travel time, cost and pollution.

As a frequent user of Sankey for Penketh railway station for more than 50 years, I and many of my fellow travellers feel frustrated and powerless as our voiced concerns and petitions have been completely disregarded.

I know that this letter will make absolutely no difference to the decision to downgrade the station but I feel I would be letting myself down if I did not pen my frustration.

KATHY MCGLEE Great Sankey