Network Rail and Northern respond to concerns about poor service

Network Rail and Northern have responded to concerns about poor service, after the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, called for an investigation into Northern’s performance earlier this month.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/118855/mayor-of-greater-manchester-calls-for-official-investigation-into-northern-rail

Data shows that Northern has recently missed its targets for delays and cancelled services, including double the number of anticipated cancellations during March.

In addition, several public commitments made by Northern to Greater Manchester passengers have not yet been met, including:

• Increased trains per hour between Manchester and a number of Greater Manchester and other locations.
• New route options and connections to new destinations.
• Sunday timetables to be enhanced offering additional services on some corridors.
• Refurbished bi-mode trains operating between Manchester Airport and Windermere and Manchester Airport and Wigan North Western.
• Refurbished electric trains operating between Manchester and Preston via Bolton.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “Unforeseen poor ground conditions, changes in project scope and poor contractor performance, most notably by Carillion before its eventual collapse, have delayed the completion of the Manchester-Preston upgrade.

“With Amey now on board as our main contractor, we’re seeing real progress towards the completion goal of December this year.

“We recognise these upgrades are disrupting customers in the short term – but it is important not to lose sight of the transformational benefits this Great North Rail Project scheme will bring in the long term.”

In a letter to Mr Burnham, the Managing Director of Northern, David Brown said: “I’d like to apologise for the issues passengers around Manchester have been facing recently due to a higher than normal number of cancellations and delays. Disappointing customers is not something we’re happy with, and we’d like to assure you that Northern is doing everything possible to get services back to an acceptable level.

“The handover of the Blackpool line from Network Rail was delayed at the last minute, by three weeks, which meant driver training because a real challenge for us. We’re now making good progress training the 400+ drivers, and encouragingly we’re seeing the delays and cancellations around Manchester easing.

“We are now in the throes of implementing the May 2018 timetable which, given the huge scale of the changes to 60% of our services, we expect some short-term localised disruption.

“The announcement in January by Network Rail of a further delay to the electrification between Manchester and Preston via Bolton, was a significant issue for Northern and, in the short-term, severely impacts our proposals to increase services and capacity.

“Network Rail has assured Northern that the infrastructure work will be completed, ready for Northern to complete driver training and preparations, ready to launch a full service of electric trains on this route from 10 December, the date of the next timetable change.

“At Northern, we work hard to try and keep passengers informed of delays and cancellations, however we know this is an area that we can improve upon, and we’re making this a key priority. In regard to compensation, Northern actively promotes the Delay Repay scheme to make customers aware of what they’re entitled to claim in the event of a delay or cancellation.

“I am frustrated at the lengthy delays that have impacted on our ability to deliver the better services our customers expect and deserve, but can assure you that we are doing everything possible, with Network Rail, to ensure completion of this project and unlock better train travel across the north.”