A long-running industrial dispute which has hampered Sunday services in north west England since 2017 has ended.

The Department for Transport said a reliance on voluntary overtime at Northern had meant that Sunday services were ‘second rate’, but that it has now reached an agreement with the RMT.

As a result, the DfT said around 70 extra trains will be running on Sundays from 13 December, and that the revenue from fares is expected to rise by about £4 million a year.

The dispute had concerned voluntary Sunday working, and whether the train doors were controlled by the driver or conductor. Almost one train in five had been cancelled.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: ‘This is a landmark moment for passengers across the north west who for too long, have suffered from second-rate services and unacceptable levels of disruption.

‘We’re paving the way for the biggest transformation to travel in the North in a generation, unlocking jobs, homes and opportunities and creating a world-class economic growth corridor that people of the region need and deserve.

‘These extra Sunday services are part of that change, meaning more people will be able to get to Christmas markets, see family and friends, and do their festive shopping by train.’

The DfT added that the deal ‘buys out outdated working practices that have cost passengers hundreds of reliable services on Sundays. The majority of this is money Northern already pay to their conductors to incentivise them to volunteer to work overtime.’

The RMT has agreed to include Sundays within the working week from now on. Guards will receive higher pay and have a new job description which no longer includes controlling the doors.

Northern was renationalised in March 2020, after the Arriva franchise had been terminated by the DfT.

Northern’s managing director Tricia Williams said: ‘This is a genuinely groundbreaking agreement and a hugely positive moment for our customers, our colleagues and the railway across the North of England.

‘We know how frustrating the lack of Sunday services has been for many communities. We are committed to bringing services back as quickly as we can, taking a phased approach over the coming months and prioritising those routes and journeys where the impact has been greatest.

‘I would also like to recognise the constructive work with the RMT in reaching this agreement. It demonstrates what can be achieved through working together, and gives us a real opportunity to move forward.’

The RMT has been invited to comment.

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