I am deeply concerned that passengers using the TransPennine Express to and from Manchester, Leeds, York, Malton, Filey and Scarborough through my constituency are still experiencing serious delays and cancellations.
Neighbouring Scarborough and Whitby MP, Robert Goodwill, and I have written to the Secretary of State, Chris Grayling, to urge him to intervene and we are also calling for a debate in Parliament to discuss what needs to be done to ensure that passengers get the service they are entitled to expect.
I have already taken the issue up with TransPennine Express and plan to meet them again in early September. They tell me that some of the recent problems have been caused in Central Manchester where there is currently significant congestion on the Castlefield corridor between Manchester Oxford Road and Manchester Victoria, causing delays and affecting services towards Scarborough, via York, Malton and Seamer. But this is no consolation for my constituents who are experiencing regular delays preventing them from getting to work and to other appointments on time or facing general ongoing inconvenience.
In a letter TransPennine Express told me that “Network Rail has recently introduced a new train regulation policy for York station, which has presented further problems and worsened delays. Network Rail refused to accept any train, travelling east or west, that was running several minutes late in an effort to protect the operation of the East Coast Main Line thanks to the number of late-running LNER services passing through York.” According to TransPennine Express, this policy initially severely affected its operation. In the first week of the policy, it said it was forced to cancel trains travelling north via Thirsk and Northallerton at York. The train would then remain at York for hours having been refused permission to continue north by Network Rail. In one instance, spectators travelling to watch cricket at Scarborough were turned back at Malton.
I understand that Network Rail has now relaxed this policy and Scarborough services have been excluded from its severest implementation, but there is more that can be done. It is clear that there needs to be a more efficient collaborative approach to delivering services between Network Rail and the train operators. The whole situation needs to be urgently reviewed. I have received a number of letters from frustrated passengers, who, understandably, are fed up with the very poor service they have had all summer. Robert Goodwill and I are determined to do everything we can to bring the relevant parties together to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.