Deputy Mayor writes to Northern questioning Sunday cancellations

As Greater Manchester Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, Baroness Hughes wrote to the Managing Director of Northern, David Brown, on Saturday afternoon (11 August) after Friday's announcement that trains on many lines in and around the city-region would not run or would operate a reduced service.

Bev said: "As you are no doubt aware the Mayor has had to write to you, the Secretary of State for Transport and Transport for the North on a number of occasions over the past several months, and has also written to the Prime Minister, regarding what has been a chaotic and unacceptable situation. It is disappointing that once again we are having to contact you directly regarding Northern’s services failing to meet an adequate standard."

The Deputy Mayor put three specific questions to Northern:

1. What is the cause of these staff shortages and what urgent steps are Northern taking to address them in the short-term?
2. Can you reassure me and the travelling public that a full range of services will operate next Sunday?
3. What compensation is available for those passengers who were booked onto Northern services on Sunday and have had to make alternative travel arrangements at short notice, such as booking taxi journeys to and from the airport?

"I hope you will be able to provide me with an early reply to these questions," concluded the Deputy Mayor. "Passengers in the North deserve no less."