Oldham MP welcomes decision to end the Northern Rail franchise

Debbie Abrahams and supporters seen here at one of her many campaigning visits to Greenfield station in recent years.

Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, who has been a longterm campaigner for improvements to local rail services, has welcomed the news that Northern Rail is to lose it's franchise.
 
Debbie, who has also campaigned for improved accessibility at Greenfield station, said, “I’m pleased that the Government have finally listened to my calls for Northern Rail to be stripped of its franchise.
 
“The Northern Rail 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. 
 
"Local residents who use Greenfield station have been consistently let down not only by Northern Rail but Transpennine Express too.

"They’ve had to cope with increases in rail fares during a period when there’s absolute chaos in our rail transport services in Greater Manchester as a whole.”
 
Debbie added, “This should have happened long ago, as Labour called for. We must ensure our rail network, and public transport infrastructure as a whole, delivers for us all, helping to reduce car journeys, congestion and air pollution.”

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.