Plans by Northern to stop running trains on the Manchester Piccadilly to Rose Hill line as part of the COVID timetable change has now been changed due to a local campaign by local residents and MPs.

Northern has now agreed to run a limited morning and afternoon train service for school users and commuters.

Northern is planning to run 80% of its normal timetable from Monday, but says it is is still facing issues in the North regarding the challenges of driving training in a COVID environment.

The operator has reported that this is impacting the number of train services they run.

Transport Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris said that some Northern services will now serve stations, despite plans to withdrawn them.

Transport for the North‘s Strategic Rail Director, David Hoggarth said: “We understand that the background to the original decision by Northern is complex, and reflects the extreme stresses now being placed on the operator while trying to maintain a reliable railway service under severe constraints during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“However, we made our concerns clear about the proposed withdrawal of this service even if the decision was taken as part of an emergency timetable and as part of the coronavirus response.

“This is a step forward, but we expect the full normal timetable to be restored as soon as possible and will continue to push for service restoration to commence at the earliest feasible date whilst still delivering a reliable service. We will be monitoring Northern’s progress very closely.”

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