Rail bosses promise to tackle problems as mayors call for Northern to lose franchise

An independent report has been commissioned by Northern Rail and Network Rail into the problems facing the service in the region.

The report has been commissioned at a time when Greater Manchester’s mayor has called for Northern Rail to be stripped of its franchise.

It has also emerged transport minister Chris Grayling has made improving rail services in the North West his number one priority.

Andy Burnham and his counterpart in Liverpool Steve Rotheram have been talking to the Transport Secretary about the problems facing commuters in the region.

The mayors said delays, cancellations and overcrowding have become so extreme Northern has “lost the benefit of the doubt”.

The mayors said: “They simply cannot be permitted to keep inflicting a miserable sub-standard service on the hundreds of thousands of passengers across our region who have had to endure dire train travel for far too long.”

The report will look into the preparations and processes leading up to the implementation of the recent timetable change.

Rail users, transport and Northern stakeholders will be asked for their views.

Since the introduction of the new timetable on Sunday 20 May, many train customers have faced delays, cancellations and overcrowding.

A joint statement said: “The timetable change, the biggest in decades, has been designed to increase capacity with better trains and more services in the long-term.

“However more immediately it has not delivered an acceptable service for customers, especially on routes around north Manchester extending up to Blackpool.

“The multi-billion pound investment plan in the north will mean improved connections, shorter journey times, larger and better trains and more comfortable journeys. There will be more frequent trains delivered through track and train upgrades as part of the Great North Rail Project.”

Martin Frobisher, managing director for Network Rail’s London North Western route, said: “We recognise how tough it has been for customers, particularly since the May timetable change last weekend and we’re sorry for that.

“We are working hard with Northern to get service back to where it needs to be. We will work as one team to achieve this.

“The independent report will ensure lessons are learned and that there are no repeats of current problems as we prepare for the next major timetable change in December this year.”

David Brown, managing director of Northern, said: “We are doing everything we can to minimise cancellations and delays and keep our customers informed. It has been difficult for many of our customers and I am truly sorry for this.

“There is urgent work to do to fully understand what did and didn’t work on all aspects of planning and delivery of the new timetable.

“We are committed to working with Network Rail and Northern stakeholders to deliver the services our customers expect and deserve.”