MP throws down rail challenge to executives

Easington MP Grahame Morris has invited Northern Rail executives and the rail minister to travel on the Durham coast line following a weekend of rail chaos.

As the football season kicked off and Seaham Food Festival was staged, travellers were left angry and disappointed as they were unable to board over crowded rail services at Horde na nd Sea ham rail stations.

Mr Morris has previously raised the issue of overcrowding on the line with Northern Rail and ministers and says passengers being turned away at the new Horden Station and Seaham Train Station has become a “predictable and regular occurrence.”

Northern Rail have said a lack of rolling stock and trained drivers is the underlying cause of the problems, but Mr Morris rejects this.

He said: “The problems of overcrowding on the Durham Coastline during peak periods and match days is not a new issue. It has been an ongoing and persistent problem for several years.

"The lack of forward planning to add additional capacity, particularly in advance of Horden Rail Station opening, is an example of the failures caused by our fragmented and chaotic rail services.

“After the latest disruption, I have invited the minister and Northern Rail executives to take the train between Sea ham and Sunderland on a match day, so they can experience first-hand a ruined weekend and over crowded train son the Durham Coastline.

“The Government are investing billions across the country in rail infrastructure, from HS2 to Crossrail, yet expects the Durham Coast line to run sub-standard services without sufficient capacity to meet peak demand.”