Government steps in to prevent train companies from going bust
Great Yorkshire Show is called off over crisis
THE ORGANISERS of the Great Yorkshire Show confirmed yesterday that this summer’s showpiece agricultural event has been cancelled due to the deepening crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Yorkshire Agricultural Society said the “sad but sensible decision” had been taken to halt plans for staging the three-day show, which attracted 135,000 visitors last year.
The society’s chief executive, Nigel Pulling, confirmed that the show would now not be held until next summer.
He said: “Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we have taken the sad but sensible decision to cancel the Great Yorkshire Show this year. As this national crisis escalates day by day, we feel we cannot safely run the show in 2020.”
The 162nd show had been scheduled from July 14 to 16.
RAIL FRANCHISE agreements are to be suspended to avoid train companies collapsing, as passenger numbers fall 70 per cent and ticket sales by two-thirds.
Operators are being offered the chance to transfer all revenue and cost risk to the Government, and be paid a small management fee to run services.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said allowing operators to enter insolvency would cause “significantly more disruption to passengers and higher costs to the taxpayer.”
The move has been widely welcomed by industry bodies.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We are taking this action to protect the key workers who depend on our railways to carry on their vital roles, the hardworking commuters who have radically altered their lives to combat the spread of coronavirus, and the frontline rail staff
Minister announced that rail franchise agreements are to be suspended.
who are keeping the country moving.
“People deserve certainty that the services they need will run or that their job is not at risk in these unprecedented times.
“These offers will give operators the confidence and certainty so they can play their part in the national interest,” the minister added.
The emergency measures will be in place for an initial period of six months.
Rail timetables have been slashed because of Covid-19.
Anyone holding an Advance ticket will be able to get a refund free of charge, while administrative fees have been waived for season ticket refunds.
Paul Plummer, chief executive of industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), said: “The industry strongly welcomes the Department for Transport’s offer of temporary support and, while we need to finalise the details, this will ensure that train companies can focus all their efforts on delivering a vital service at a time of national need.”
Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald also welcomed the move, adding: “Labour backs measures that will keep key workers and freight moving on our railway during this crisis.
“There are very few emergency options available in these most difficult of circumstances.”