More Northern problems fuel fares debate
Reports that rail fares could rise by 3.5 per cent in January have sparked a new debate over rail tariffs, fuelled by a further round of cancellations on Northern yesterday. About 80 services were lost, which were attributed by Northern to ‘difficulties’ in scheduling crews. Northern has denied claims that it does not employ enough staff. The operator said: “We actually have more drivers than we need to run a full timetable in normal circumstances. Ongoing engineering projects have caused severe difficulties.” Both RMT general secretary Mick Cash and the deputy Mayor of Manchester Beverley Hughes said the situation was ‘outrageous’.
Wolverton, Springburn sold by Knorr-BremseThe owners of two railway works in England and Scotland have sold the businesses to a German firm. Staff have been told of the sales in workshop briefings, but few details have been given. Knorr-Bremse said it is ‘carrying out a strategic realignment of its vehicle services business in the UK market’, which has prompted the sales of Wolverton and Springburn to Mutares, described as ‘equity entrepreneurs’. The news comes after the High Court confirmed that planning permission to demolish the existing buildings at Wolverton was valid, and rejected a case brought by Historic England. HE said the judgment had been ‘very disappointing’.
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