The platforms too short for new trains

LONG-SUFFERING rail passengers face a two-year wait for modern trains designed to reduce overcrowding – because station platforms are too short.

Travellers on the Northern franchise were hoping new six-carriage services, due to replace outdated Pacer trains this year, would alleviate rush-hour misery.

The higher-capacity trains had been expected this December, but the company has blamed Network Rail, which is carrying out a £161million upgrade at Leeds station, for the delays. Routes linking Leeds with Ilkley, Bradford and Skipton are among those affected. The new trains would be too long for existing platforms and could not be used for safety reasons.

Passengers reacted with fury on social media and asked why some train doors could not be locked and commuters asked to walk through carriages before getting off.

A Northern spokesman said: ‘The six-carriage formation trains will run when that platform capacity is created.’

Network Rail said six platforms at Leeds were too short for the longer trains and were being ‘altered’, while another was being built. It denied being at fault, saying it had never committed to a date for the work to be completed.

Last May Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: ‘Improving the service for Northern customers is the number one performance priority for my department.’

Rail passengers have been told to expect some ‘teething problems’ when the new summer timetable takes effect in May. But the industry insisted there would be no repeat of last year’s chaos.