Leeds West and Pudsey MP Rachel Reeves is calling for assurances over the proposed axing of an ‘unreliable’ train service used by passengers at both Bramley and New Pudsey Stations.
WLD last month reported Northern is planning to axe its ‘unreliable’ direct Hull to Halifax service, which also stops at Leeds and Bradford. The rail operator says the service is often heavily delayed, and these delays mean it regularly terminates at Bradford or Leeds. The direct train would be replaced by one that runs between Hull and Leeds and one that runs between Leeds and Huddersfield, via Bradford.
Northern claims other local routes will be improved as part of the shake up.
But Rachel Reeves has written to Northern managing director Tricia Williams, asking her to ‘look again’ at the changes.
In her letter, Ms Reeves said: “This decision will negatively impact those in my constituency who rely on this connection from Bramley and New Pudsey. As Northern’s Managing Director, I am urging you to look again at these timetabling changes and reconsider your approach so that hard-working people in West Leeds aren’t left without this vital rail link.
“You will appreciate Bramley and New Pudsey are highly valued and well-used gateways to our local transport network, offering residents a more direct and sustainable way to travel for work, education, and leisure. I have heard directly from a number of constituents who are concerned that a reduced through-service between Hull and Halifax would leave a gap in the timetable at their local station, undermining the usefulness of the service they have come to rely on and limiting their access to regular direct services to Leeds and Bradford.
“My constituents and I recognise all too well that this service was often unreliable and would experience delays. I also appreciate that the broader changes set out in the proposal aim to improve the reliability and punctuality of the network.”
Ms Reeves has called on Northern to set out what assessment has been made of the impact on passengers using New Pudsey and Bramley stations, including the scale of any gap in the timetable.
“Both stations represent a significant investment in local rail infrastructure,” she added. “It is important that timetabling decisions reflect and protect that investment. I would welcome your assurance that the people of Leeds West and Pudsey have not been left behind in the drive for efficiency elsewhere on the network.”
A Northern spokesperson said: “We are exploring plans to provide a more reliable service for thousands of people travelling across Yorkshire.
“The Hull to Halifax service runs on a busy part of our network and when it is delayed, there is a significant knock-on effect on other trains.
“We are looking to replace it with two separate services: one that runs between Hull and Leeds and one that runs between Leeds and Huddersfield, via Bradford.
“Passengers will still be able to travel between Hull and Halifax, by changing trains at Leeds.”
The proposed changes were discussed by West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Weaver Network Board last month.
I agree with Rachel Reeves
Don’t be daft. She did not write this. She has staff to do this for her. She is enjoying her London life, subsidised by the taxpayer.
Do you expect people to work for free oliver?
Rachel from accounts is an expert in things coming off the rails and having her service terminated.
The only timetable I care about is the one for her resignation as the MP for our constituency.
Is it that she is a woman that produces your patronising drivel or desperation that she and the Labour government have another 3 years to go!
Our train services and pricing are the worst in Europe. People running these railways couldn’t be trusted to run a train set let alone a real railway. The prices give me no incentive what so ever to use them. Delayed,canceled, assaulted,murdered, taken your pick.
….. Anyroad….I can understand why they are doing this ( all the rail traffic going East out of Leeds relies on the two track viaduct…a monumental bottleneck)
Problem is that any train scheduled to go West with passengers changing from the Hull trains won’t be able to wait if they are delayed.:-(