COMMUTERS faced delays and disruption today as major changes to train services in Bolton were introduced.

Severely reduced services will operate through the borough over the next five months after engineering work started on the Farnworth tunnels.

One of the tunnels needs to be rebuilt to prepare the network for the electrification of the train lines, and the project means just four trains per hour will pass through Bolton and no services will stop at Bolton at weekends.

Passengers aiming to beat the morning crush lined up to get the 7.34am service to Manchester Piccadilly but were unable to get on board, with some being told by station staff to get a different train to Manchester Victoria — adding to their journey time.

Bolton News reporter Liam Thorp got on board another packed commuter service to Manchester Piccadilly at 7.52am and found passengers whose travel plans had been thrown into chaos.

Commuter Magdalen Faulds, from Heaton, had arrived at Bolton train station earlier than usual to try to get on the 7.34am service.

She said: “That train was far too packed for anyone to get on so they sent people onto the Victoria train — meaning a lot of people would have to make their way across Manchester to get to work.

“They had also had to leave a lot of people at the station at Lostock who simply couldn’t get on board."

Fellow commuter Mark James, aged 29, from Lostock, said he is concerned about the effects on his journey to work over the next five months.

He said: “Already the trains are totally full every single day — this is going to be a massive nightmare now.

“I will just be turning up at the train station with no idea whether I can get on a train or not and if I miss it I could end up being really late for work in Manchester.”

He added: “I am also worried about getting back to Bolton because a couple of trains that I have previously used have been cancelled.”

Commuters also took to Twitter to vent their frustrations about the reduced services.

Dan McLetchie tweeted: “Due to work through Bolton and service changes would it not be smart to add more carriages to trains to help everyone?”

Utpal Das added: “Big train nightmare begins between Bolton and Manchester — why no more carriages?”

A spokesman for Northern Rail and First TransPennine Express said: “Trains will continue to operate although at a much reduced frequency and different travel options will be available.

“In partnership with Network Rail we have conducted a high profile information campaign and we believe the huge majority of customers are aware of the changes.

“We are advising all customers to take the time to plan their journey and make the necessary changes to their travel plans.”