Northern cancels services because of ‘sickness’

SOME train services have been cancelled today after Northern announced ‘unprecedented levels of sickness’.

That combined with annual leave entitlements will mean a reduced service, the under-fire operator confirmed yesterday.

The news comes after speculation Northern could be stripped of its franchise, with reports suggesting the Department for Transport is considering the position.

The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has called on the government to clarify the reports. He has long called for Northern’s franchise to be removed.

Northern said there would be a number of ‘planned cancellations’ on a number of routes across the north west today.

One service between Liverpool and Wigan has been stopped completely, with a replacement bus service operating every hour instead.

“Alongside the annual leave entitlements at this time of the year, we currently have unprecedented levels of sickness,” Northern said.

“That means we expect there to be some pre-planned cancellations on certain lines.

“We are sorry for any disruption customers may face. Please check before you travel.”

The planned cancellations will affect:

■ Lancaster - Morecambe: A reduced rail service will be in operation and a replacement bus will also be serving the route.

■ Manchester Piccadilly Hadfield: A reduced rail service will be in operation.

■ Liverpool Lime Street Wigan North Western (stopping service): A bus replacement service will operate every hour.

“We do not cancel services lightly and routes with cancelled services are chosen carefully to minimise the impact on customers,” the operator added on its website.

“On each of the affected routes, our customers will have a range of alternative options available to them including other Northern services, trains run by other operators or rail replacement road transport.”