Northern's delays and cancellations 'unacceptable' says transport secretary

THE transport secretary has slammed under-fire train operator Northern – describing recent delays and cancellations as ‘totally unacceptable’.

- JOSEPH TIMAN

The operator has been criticised by regional leaders over its recent level of performance with Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham writing to the government last week asking for support and action. It followed an emergency meeting of the Rail North Committee, chaired by Mr Burnham, in which the regional rail operator admitted fax machines are still being used to communicate with staff.

Visiting Greater Manchester yesterday, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh told the M.E.N. ‘progress’ has been made with the unions over a rest day working agreement that expired over the summer. Mr Burnham said that has caused ‘not all, but a lot’ of the recent problems with the rail operator which has been ‘regularly’ issuing ‘do not travel’ notices for services on Sundays.