Chester MP Calls For Northern Passenger Compensation

Chester's MP has joined calls for passengers of Northern Rail to be offered compensation and reduced fares.

The operator could not cope with their new timetable when it was introduced in May which led to major delays and numerous cancellations. 

Today Northern is cutting 165 services to help provide a more reliable operation. 

⚠️ NORTHERN SERVICE UPDATE ⚠️

🔴Please see below for current disruption on our network👇

📱For information on delays and cancellations, check before you travel: 👉https://t.co/6U2PzA1znQ

💷You can claim compensation here: 👉https://t.co/J1CCsJ3qI3 pic.twitter.com/ilFBS8UUyF

— Northern (@northernassist) June 4, 2018

Last week it was revealed that a brand new peak time service from Northwich to Knutsford and Greater Manchester had be cancelled most mornings since its introduction. 

Trains between Chester and Northwich were also among those to be cancelled. 

Chris Matheson MP said: "The problem is that Northern Rail is a privatised company that has to make profits, when that is the case normally profits come before passengers, I would like to see that situation reversed."

He went on to say that he thought our region had been neglected in favour of projects in the South of England: "We need to get the investment in our railways in the north that the rest of country is having. But also I think Northern Rail management have got to look at themselves and ask if they are up to the job, which I am not sure they are."

Northern Rail previously announced they would be commissioning an independent report and recommendations into the preparations and processes leading up to the implementation of the recent timetable change. 

David Brown, managing director of Northern, said: “We are doing everything we can to minimise cancellations and delays and keep our customers informed. It has been difficult for many of our customers and I am truly sorry for this.

“There is urgent work to do to fully understand what did and didn’t work on all aspects of planning and delivery of the new timetable.

“We are committed to working with Network Rail and Northern stakeholders to deliver the services our customers expect and deserve.”