OVERCROWDING will continue to be a problem on trains from Warrington to Manchester and Liverpool as a result of government cuts, according MP Helen Jones.
The Warrington North MP has lashed out over the coalition government’s decision to reduce the number of new carriages in the short term while at the same time increase fares.
She said: “It is frankly absurd for the government to attempt to dress this announcement up as positive news when in reality they have cut planned improvements to our rail services.
“A large number of my constituents in Warrington use the train network to get to work or university and they will feel let down by the government again.”
Transport secretary Philip Hammond recently announced that more than 2,100 new carriages would be provided by 2019 but that only 650 would be provided by 2014, compared with the 1,300 the previous Labour government had planned.
But Ms Jones said the result of the decision would be that Warrington people would continue to put up with overcrowding and old carriages.
She said: “The ‘sting-in-the-tail’ of this announcement is that fares may increase by as much as 12.8 per cent. It is simply unfair to ask passengers to pay a significant amount more for their tickets whilst offering little improvement.
“However, I am pleased that the government will press ahead with Labour’s plans to electrify the line between Liverpool and Manchester which will improve the energy efficiency of the line and reduce journey times slightly.”
OVERCROWDING will continue to be a problem on trains from Warrington to
Manchester and Liverpool as a result of government cuts, according MP
Helen Jones.
MP hits out over train overcrowding
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
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Er? The 1300 carriages was unfunded so not much of a promise and included second hand carriages from the south so not all were “new”. Oh and the electrification doesnt cover Warrington, although will probably attract more Warrington journeys to go through Newton.
Does she ever say anything that can be relied upon?
“Does she ever say anything that can be relied upon?”
No, but if it is any consolation her picture isn’t included this time.
She says Labour planned 1,300 carriages but omitted to that they did not have the money to pay for them! Yet again. Same story as the money for Sheffield Forge-masters.