'Left behind': West Leeds MP challenges Northern Rail over Hull-Halifax service planned cuts
MP writes to rail chiefs over service changes in west Leeds
A West Leeds MP has written to rail bosses about the cancellation of the Hull to Halifax train which she claims will negatively impact rail passengers.
Rachel Reeves, the Leeds West and Pudsey MP, said commuters in Pudsey and Bramley could face a gap in services as Northern is planning major changes to its Hull to Halifax service, which stops at Leeds and Bradford.
The rail operator says the service is often heavily delayed, and these delays mean it is regularly terminated at Bradford or Leeds.
To tackle the issue, the Hull train will now stop at Leeds and no longer continue on to Bradford and Halifax. Passengers wanting to travel to Hull from Bradford will now have to change in Leeds.
The West Leeds and Pudsey MP said: “This decision will negatively impact those in my constituency who rely on this connection from Bramley and New Pudsey.
“You will appreciate Bramley and New Pudsey are highly valued and well-used gateways to our local transport network, offering residents a more direct and sustainable way to travel for work, education, and leisure.
“I have heard directly from a number of constituents who are concerned that a reduced through-service between Hull and Halifax would leave a gap in the timetable at their local station, undermining the usefulness of the service they have come to rely on and limiting their access to regular direct services to Leeds and Bradford.”
She asked rail chiefs to look at what assessment has been made on the impact for passengers and what steps are being taken to mitigate and ensure there is a “consistent, dependable service”.
She added: “Both stations represent a significant investment in local rail infrastructure, and it is important that timetabling decisions reflect and protect that investment.
“I would welcome your assurance that the people of Leeds West and Pudsey have not been left behind in the drive for efficiency elsewhere on the network.”
This change to the service has not yet been implemented.
A Northern spokesperson said: “We are exploring plans to provide a more reliable service for thousands of people travelling across Yorkshire.
"The Hull to Halifax service runs on a busy part of our network and when it is delayed, there is a significant knock-on effect on other trains.
“We are looking to replace it with two separate services: one that runs between Hull and Leeds and one that runs between Leeds and Huddersfield, via Bradford.
“Passengers will still be able to travel between Hull and Halifax, by changing trains at Leeds.”