DESPITE years of pressure, petitions and fed-up passengers – these pictures by our readers show that little has changed for Bolton rail commuters.

Carriage conditions are so cramped on rush hour trains to and from Manchester via Bolton that they have become known as the ‘sardine service’.

Three years after The Bolton News’ Let’s Get Back on Track campaign delivered a 1,400-strong petition to Downing Street in protest at carriage overcrowding, passengers are still suffering.

This is despite 200 extra seats being added to the 8.20am Manchester service following a pledge for extra capacity by the former Prime Minister, David Cameron in 2014.

Above-inflation price rises next year mean commuters will soon pay even more to stand in cramped, sweaty conditions on 30-year-old trains where people have been known to faint.

And that is if they are lucky enough to even be able to squeeze on to the service and get to work in time.

MP for Bolton North East, David Crausby, said: “Almost every day residents contact me about overcrowded local trains and these photos show just how unpleasant journeys can be.

“What these photos don’t show is all the passengers routinely left behind on the platform because they are unable to squeeze into the over-packed carriages.

“We have all paid for this service through our taxes and these people have been charged again in their fares, yet the Government acts like passengers are the problem and not paying customers. Sitting down and getting to work on time should not be a luxury.

“Recently we have seen the Government attacking strikes on Southern Rail, but it is about time they noticed that overcrowding means Bolton’s residents are facing strike-like conditions every day. Where’s the urgent action to get Bolton moving again?”

Currently, Bolton commuters regularly have to travel on Sprinter and Pacer trains — developed in 1984 and the latter of which is actually a British Leyland bus body mounted onto a freight wagon frame.

Arriva Rail North — operating under the name ‘Northern’ — took over the former Northern Rail franchise in April, 2016.

They have committed to the removal of the Pacer fleet and the introduction of new carriages to ease congestion.

However, this and electrification following the reconstruction of Farnworth tunnel - which will also allow faster, longer trains to operate - is only expected to be delivered in 2018.

Newly-introduced automatic ticket barriers at Bolton Station and the revamped Bolton Interchange will also contribute to a more streamlined public transport service in the town.

A spokesman for Northern said: "The rail network has experienced unprecedented growth in terms of users in recent years and we always welcome suggestions from our stakeholders and customers as to how we can further improve the services we offer.

"We recently launched We Are Listening, an initiative designed to capture suggestions and feedback to help us deliver excellent customer service, and are eager to hear what our passengers and stakeholders think.

"We understand that our customers are frustrated when trains are busy, but can assure all that we always deploy as many carriages as possible to the network.

"Improvements to stations and carriages, as well as increased frequency of services, are planned, but this will take time as we, and our partners in the rail industry, carry out the necessary work to allow such improvements to take place and be rolled out."

Cramped conditions on Bolton trains "Send us your pictures illustrating how cramped your rail commute is to or from Bolton" We asked for your responses - this is what you sent.