Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald, commenting on the call by Metro Mayors Steve Rotherham and Andy Burnham for the Northern Rail franchise to be terminated said:

“Labour Metro Mayors Steve Rotherham and Andy Burnham are absolutely right to call for the termination of the Northern Rail franchise which was awarded by the last Conservative government. The contract has been a failure in every possible sense with delayed and cancelled trains, new services not being delivered and the dreaded Pacer trains still in operation.

“Northern Rail passengers deserve better than this and they also deserve long overdue investment in the Northern Rail network.

“A Labour government will end the failed franchising system and unite the whole railway under a single publicly owned company. We will support and empower Transport for the North to build a railway fit for purpose and fit for the 21st century.

“Chris Grayling can’t wait for another review. He needs to act immediately and bring this failed franchise to an end.”