Calls to end Northern's franchise in view of next year's train fare rise

The company, which runs services between Scarborough and Hull, has been criticised for its ongoing poor performance resulting in regular delays and cancellations.

In view of next year's train fare rise, a group of protesters gathered outside Manchester Victoria station yesterday to demand Northern's franchise to be revoked and call for fares to be reduced by at least a third until improvements are made.

In Scarborough, the latest delay to Northern's long-awaited hourly service to and from York has been cause of frustration and disappointment, with residents and councillors saying they were "looking forward" to a new service complementing the existing TransPennine Express one.

Northern trains on the Scarborough to York line were meant to be introduced this month, however, the launch date has been pushed back till May 2020.

Northern blamed the delay on manufacturer CAF which confirmed it is yet to deliver a new batch of trains.