In his latest column, High Peak MP Robert Largan addresses the current situation on the railway and calls for a full train timetable to be reinstated for local services.

As many frustrated commuters will be all too aware, Northern Trains are still running a reduced timetable on services to and from Manchester.

Northern’s latest announcement confirmed that this reduction in services will continue until at least December. This is deeply disappointing.

The situation is especially difficult given the major roadworks on Mottram Moor and the closure of Long Hill, meaning commuters face a double whammy of fewer trains and even worse traffic.

In Parliament, I have raised the need for Northern to urgently reinstate a full timetable as soon as possible.

For the last two months, I have been collecting a petition, calling on Northern to bring back our trains, which has been signed by over 2,000 people so far. I would encourage everyone who hasn’t yet signed my petition to do so at: robertlargan.co.uk/bringbackourtrains

Of course, this isn’t the only issue affecting our railways. The contract for operating Northern Trains was taken into public ownership in March 2020, after successive failures by the previous operator Arriva Rail North.

As this latest fiasco shows, however, public ownership isn’t an answer in its own right. We need to reform the fragmented system of franchising on our railways.

For this reason, I welcome the new Transport Bill and Great British Railways reforms progressing through Parliament. Together, they aim to simplify the management of the rail network, improve the reliability of services, and cut the cost of travel.

This builds on the progress made by this Government.

The £137 million upgrade to the Hope Valley line, for example, represents the biggest single investment in transport infrastructure in High Peak in my lifetime. This will make a huge difference to passengers in New Mills, Chinley, Edale, Hope and Bamford.

The upgrade will make the line more resilient, allow freight trains to be passed by commuter services, and improve reliability.

These vital improvements are very welcome, but I know that for many in High Peak they remain out of reach.

In Chinley, the station still has no step-free access. I am continuing to push Ministers hard on this point, and I am proud to support Chinley & Buxworth Transport Group and Northern’s Access for All funding bid.

Residents in Gamesley are also still waiting for the train station first promised to them in 1968. In Parliament, it is often joked that whatever the issue being debated, I will find some way of mentioning the need to build Gamesley station. This is something I will not apologise for.

The station would completely transform the life chances for residents in one of the most deprived parts of the country. Now is the time to make good on that promise.

Let’s get the High Peak back on track!

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