24.10.14
More than 50 MPs sign motion against rail cuts on Northern and TPE
More than 50 MPs have signed a motion against rail cuts on the Northern and TransPennine Express (TPE) franchises.
Early Day Motion 174 has raised concerns about the DfT’s consultation on the future for the two franchises and is “dismayed” that the proposals will, it says, result in fare rises, service and timetable cuts and the loss of hundreds of “essential” rail jobs.
Signed predominantly by Labour MPs in the north, the motion calls on the government and local authorities, including those that constitute Rail North, to stop the cuts and “protect the interests of passengers and the communities who rely on these rail services”.
Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale and president of the Liberal Democrats, has also signed the motion, as has Lib Dem MP for Cheadle Mark Hunter.
Rail union RMT is gearing up to lobby parliament on the issue on 4 November, the organisation’s general secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT is delighted that we now have more than 50 MPs on board with our campaign to stop the attacks outlined in the government and Rail North proposals for rail services that serve millions of people coast to coast, right across the north.”
He added that the fight to stop the “outrageous carve up of jobs and services” under the Northern and TPE franchise plans is gathering pace.
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(Image credit: Alvey & Towers)