Leeds Council boss laments ‘shocking’ £38m cost of Northern Rail chaos

The Leader of Leeds City Council has blasted the ‘shocking revelation’ that recent widespread rail disruption blew an eight-figure hole in the Northern economy.

A Northern Powerhouse Partnership report found that travel chaos on the Northern Rail network has cost the North £38m so far this summer.

Cllr Judith Blake is leading a review into the issue alongside Jo Johnson MP, Minister of State for the Department of Transport.

In a statement released today (July 30), she said: “The shocking revelation that the chaos surrounding the May introduction of new rail timetables has cost rail users in the North more than a million hours, and the North’s economy £38m, will be part of the growing body of evidence being collated for my joint review with Mr Johnson.

“Although the review we are carrying out is in its early stages, it is becoming increasingly clear that our recommendations will have to address the need to strengthen the democratic and passenger voice in the regulation of rail services in the North of England through a reformed Transport for the North.”

Northern Rail has today reintroduced around 75% of the 168 services removed from its timetable on June 4, with the remaining 25% due to be brought back in September.

Cllr Blake said the staggered reintroduction means passengers across the North “will continue to experience delays and overcrowding”.

She added: “For the good of the northern economy, the Government needs to give us the tools for the job so that we can prevent these catastrophic events from being allowed to happen again.”

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