Plans to reopen two railway stations around Leigh have been revealed.
The proposals could give residents direct access to the rail network for the first time in 50 years.
It comes after MP James Grundy launched a pair of bids to recommission both the Golbourne and Kenyon Junction stations.
Neither stop would be in the centre of the town, but both lie on currently active rail lines and could be reopened if plans are agreed.
Last year, former MP Jo Platt launched her own campaign to reinstate the Golbourne station, which was closed in the 1950s. She argued that it would improve connectivity and provide business opportunities to the town.
Now, new Leigh representative Mr Grundy has made a submission to his Conservative government as part of the national Restoring your Railway Fund, a £500m pot of cash meant for recommissioning old out-of-use stations.
The town lost its last station in 1969 and is currently the largest town in the region without direct access to a station.
Mr Grundy says he has also discussed the proposals with the government’s Rail Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris.
“This is a really exciting development – local campaigns for the reopening of both Kenyon Junction and Golborne have been fought for a number of years, so I’m pleased in my position as MP to be putting forward two bids for these schemes to progress," he said.
“If these proposals are successful, funding will be allocated to further develop a business case for the reopening of these two local railway stations, that were closed following the Beeching report of the 1960s."
He added: “I believe reopening both Kenyon Junction and Golborne station will provide much-needed links to the rail network for my constituents, as well as reduce many of the local traffic and pollution problems we face.
"In addition, connecting Leigh back up to the rail network will also help create local jobs, make Leigh an easier town to get to and in turn, help boost the local economy."
The two bids will now be assessed by an independent panel and outcomes from the bid process are expected to be announced in Autumn.
