RAILWAY chiefs at the East Lancashire Railway have drawn up a timetable for passenger trains to begin steaming along to Heywood.

Board members have named July 25 as their target opening date for services from Bury to get under way.

Locomotives and rolling stock have used the track for access to the national rail network since 1993 but additional works were required to achieve passenger status.

The project is nearing completion after four years of track renewals and improvement to structures, drainage and fencing.

Track and signalling alterations have been made to deal with increased demand in Bury, with a new station completed at Heywood.

The four-mile route was shut down decades ago by British Rail and re-opening required the costly rebuilding of the disused railway bridge at Market Street.

Passengers from a revamped Bolton Street station will travel south of the town centre and Pimhole, then over the River Roch and M66 motorway.

A definitive launch date for the service will depend on how quickly statutory consultations can be carried out by the Office of the Rail Regulator.

The track must also meet the standards of Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate, who have produced a list of safety requirements after seeing the track.

Peter Duncan, railway chairman, said: "The restoration of services to Heywood has been ongoing for the past 10 years, during which time it has been necessary to meet many legislative regulations.

"We are now very pleased to be within sight of our target."