Northern (Arriva Rail North)

[knutstransport]

RE: Northern (Arriva Rail North)
Network Rail response to petition asking for implementation of additional Macclesfield to Manchester and Greenbank to Manchester services, as promised in the franchise agreement. Interesting he makes no comment about Northwich or Macclesfield. Also interesting he's mentioned the upgrade of level crossings - are these needed even for the existing service level to remain or is he implying some form of additional service can be introduced, despite Network Rail claiming they don't want any more services through either Stockport or Mickle Trafford?

Tim Shoveller has asked me to respond.

Firstly, franchise commitments are set by the Department for Transport. Meanwhile we (Network Rail) deal with the day-to-day practicalities of running a safe and reliable railway.

That said, I understand your frustration over this. Passengers want and need additional services on this stretch of railway (Knutsford-Stockport-Manchester). There are, however, certain practical things currently stopping this from happening.

Before extra services can be safely introduced, upgrades must be completed at three level crossings on this line. We’re currently planning these upgrades, which we’re hoping to complete over the next 12 months.

The second prohibitor is lack of capacity. The railway through Stockport is pretty nearly full. If additional services were introduced through this corridor, it would cause congestion and impact upon the punctuality of existing services.

Until a solution is found, the industry’s priority is to run trains that people can rely on. The rail industry - including TfGM - is working together on a long-term study to identify infrastructure improvements that could be made to the network to enhance passenger services. Once complete, the report will be passed to the Department of Transport and Transport for the North for their consideration.

I hope you find this explanation helpful.

Yours sincerely,

Simon Evans - head of communications, North West and Central