31.07.18
Grayling backed by May as Northern’s reinstalled timetables falter
Passengers using Northern Rail services were once again left frustrated this morning when Northern’s planned reintroduction of timetables was marred with delays and cancellations.
Northern announced the reintroduction of three quarters of its services to daily schedules after it had previously brought in an emergency timetable to manage severe disruption caused by new timetables on 20 May.
But commuters were left facing delayed or cancelled trains, with 94 total services being fully or partially cancelled by 3pm, according to the ‘Northern Fail’ mobile app.
Yesterday morning, a fifth of overall trains operated by Northern Rail were delayed or cancelled; 7% of trains operated by the much-maligned company were cancelled or delayed by at least half an hour. A further 14% of trains were delayed by between five and 29 minutes according to The Times.
Packed carriages and disrupted services were much the same this morning, too: passengers on the rush-hour service from Urmston to Manchester Oxford Road struggled to get onboard.
Yesterday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the government “has failed to deal” with Northern Rail chaos:
Research from the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP) on Friday found that timetable disruption has cost the northern economy £38m. Yesterday, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said promises by Chris Grayling to end the chaos on the Northern rail network has “failed to bring any meaningful action” to turn things around.
May: ‘Full confidence’ in Grayling
The Prime Minister has reaffirmed her support behind transport secretary following fresh calls for his resignation for his management of the British railways.
In spite of the array of cancellations and delays across British rail networks in the north, Theresa May still has “full confidence” in Grayling, noting: “We understand the anger and frustration of rail passengers in the north of England.”
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