Rail passengers promised improvements after Government takeover

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said that once the Government takes over the Northern Rail network from March 2020, passengers will see real improvements.

He added the Government recognises the rail network in the north has fallen far short of delivering the service passengers need and deserve.

“This is a new beginning for Northern, but it is only a beginning,” he said.

“Northern’s network is huge and complex and some of the things which are wrong are not going to be quick or easy to put right. But I am determined that Northern passengers see real and tangible improvements across the network as soon as possible.

“Today – 29 January 2020 – marks the first small step towards the north taking back control of its railways and its people taking back control of their travelling lives.

“There will be no more leaving behind. This Government is committed to levelling-up.”

He said measures to be brought in include:

• Introducing a number of electric trains from elsewhere on the network, boosting capacity for commuters into Manchester and Leeds.
• Lengthening platforms at 30 stations by the spring, in addition to the 30 already completed, to allow longer trains to run.
• All existing trains will be deep-cleaned and the approach to cleaning reviewed.
• Government to build on recent agreement with ASLEF and improve the reliability of Sunday services.

Responding to Northern’s nationalisation, Roger Marsh, chairman of NP11 and the Leeds City Region LEP, said: “Creating a joined-up transport system that supports the Northern economy and acts as a route to inward investment in our region is something the NP11 have called for in our Manifesto for the North.

“Whilst increased focus on the day-to-day issues faced by Northern businesses and their employees should be welcomed, the real prize can only be reached through a commitment to HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail.

“A modern high-speed railway will release capacity on the existing network, benefiting the whole of the North, from Chesterfield to Carlisle and Berwick to Birkenhead.

“Whilst our Northern economy is becoming a 21st century exemplar, leading on diverse industries such as green energy, digital and manufacturing, much of our transport infrastructure remains in the 19th or 20th century.

“Small scale and short-term projects, such as opening up closed routes and addressing train operator issues, whilst welcome for individual communities and routes, will never act as more than a sticking plaster.

“Major infrastructure projects such as high-speed rail are the key that will unlock the potential of the North, as a driver of the UK economy, creating jobs, rebalancing the divide and ensuring success for our continued prosperity.”

Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said: “For too long, passengers in the North have been let down by delayed, overcrowded, and expensive rail services. Although I welcome today’s announcement by the Government, much more will need to be done to address the challenges we face with our railways in the North.

“The overriding priority must be to ensure passengers have reliable rail services.

“To see real change and restore passenger confidence, in what has been an unacceptably poor transport system, significant investment is needed in infrastructure across the North – where spending is still a fraction of that in London and the South-East.

“That’s why I’m calling for Government to commit to a sustained programme of investment in our public transport system.

“As a priority, they need to work closely with Northern leaders on the operator of last resort (OLR) arrangement; focus investment on shovel-ready schemes that ensure passengers see the benefits sooner rather than later.”