Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive is to pay for the restoration of five diesel units which were withdrawn earlier this month when the Oldham loop was closed for conversion to a Metrolink tram line. The Chair of GM Integrated Transport Authority Keith Whitmore made the surprise announcement at a Parliamentary event attended by the Transport Secretary Lord Adonis. Cllr Whitmore revealed that he had given instructions for the PTE to pay for the units, because overcrowding had become ‘ridiculous’ at some suburban stations over the past week.

The Oldham loop closed on 3 October to allow tram conversion to begin, and Cllr Whitmore told Railnews that the past week had seen serious overcrowding at other stations in the Oldham area as a result of the withdrawal. ‘For example, at Mills Hill on the Rochdale line, hundreds of passengers literally couldn't get on the trains,' he told Railnews. Other stations similarly affected included Ashton, Rochdale and Castleton.

Cllr Whitmore said he had given instructions for the displaced units to be brought back immediately to strengthen trains on the alternative Rochdale and Hudderfield lines. ‘We will pay for these units as long as necessary,' he added, 'although budgets are tight.'

Replacement buses have been provided from Oldham since the start of the tram conversion, but Cllr Whitmore conceded that their usage had been light, with most passengers choosing trains on other routes instead.

A spokesman for Northern said only that he was ‘delighted’ by the news.