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The troubled Northern rail franchise could be split into two and renationalised in 2020.

The franchise, which serves Huddersfield and West Yorkshire, could be split into North West and North East under government plans, according to the Telegraph.

This follows months of delayed and cancelled trains under its current operator Arriva, which is part of Germany's national operator Deutsche Bahn.

The Northern franchise, which provides 16,000 journeys a week to 15m people, could pass into public ownership on March 31.

(Image: PA)

Delays to essential track upgrades and stations, rising fares and the chaos caused by new timetables introduced in May, insufficient staff and strikes have put increasing pressure on the government to take over the franchise.

According to figures from the Office for Rail and Road just 57% of trains run on time, below the national average of 65%.

Arriva has been ordered to draft plans on how it will improve its Northern service which stretches from Chester to Newcastle and Nottingham to Carlisle.

But in October, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the first steps had been taken to renationalise the franchise.

Mr Shapps said: "I consider that it cannot continue delivering in the current delivery method."