UPDATED: 

“Following my earlier intervention, Northern has now confirmed that despite them not running Express services they will now be running stopping services. This is still inadequate for long-suffering passengers and is why I believe their franchise should be removed.”

At this afternoon’s Liverpool City Region Combined Authority meeting, reacting to news that Northern Rail will again run no services from Liverpool to Manchester airport on Sunday 6 October, Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram called on government to remove the franchise from Northern Rail.

Steve Rotheram said:

“Earlier this morning we have been advised by Northern Rail that they will not be providing services from Liverpool to Manchester airport at all this Sunday.

“So once again there will be misery for passengers on our railways this weekend.

“There will be no direct alternatives from Liverpool and no linked Northern Services from Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester airport. 

“To compound this there are no rail replacement buses planned by the company.

“This is simply unacceptable and to find out with minimal notice only makes the situation worse.

“I have made the company aware of my displeasure at the situation and asked that they reconsider the decision not to provide bus replacement services. 

“I will be meeting with the Managing Director of Northern on Monday and I will be leaving him in no doubt of my feelings on the poor performance of the company. 

“Instances like this only reinforce my belief that the franchise has to be removed from Northern and I will continue to press government to do so.”