Campaigners have cried foul over plans to change railway timetables south of Middlesbrough – with fears it will be a “huge step backward” for a Teesside route.
Northern Rail journeys between Newcastle and Nunthorpe are set to be altered from May next year.
Changes will mean those travelling to or from Whitby, Nunthorpe, Gypsy Lane, Marton and James Cook stations to stops beyond Middlesbrough in the Tees Valley and on to Tyneside will have to board two trains rather than one.
And the proposals have sparked frustration from the Esk Valley Community Rail Partnership – with worry passengers will lose precious time in changeovers or face a long wait for services.
If backed, those catching morning commuter trains at peak times face losing six to ten minutes on change overs.
Meanwhile, some travelling to and from Whitby during the day face a delay of up to 54 minutes compared with now.
Campaigners at the partnership want the proposals scrapped.
“If implemented, these changes will reverse recent successes in promoting the line, which has been voted “the prettiest in England” and instead, undermine its long term viability.
“As a Government-owned train operating company, Northern should be supporting the promise in the recent “Plan for Rail” white paper to make our railway easier to use by developing local services, improving connectivity, “building back better” and encouraging rail use and thus less use of cars.
“Instead, these proposals do the very opposite.”
Redcar and Cleveland’s mayor Carole Morgan has also raised doubts about the move.
“I am very concerned about these proposals,” added Cllr Morgan.
“The Esk Valley service, particularly from Nunthorpe through Middlesbrough to the rest of the Tees Valley, and beyond to Newcastle, is very popular with residents and asking them all to change trains at Middlesbrough in future will not be welcomed.”
Northern is a publicly-owned operating company which runs services as part of the northern area franchise.
MP concerns
Andy McDonald, Labour MP for Middlesbrough, believed it made “no sense” to withdraw the “well-used and popular” service from Nunthorpe to Newcastle.
The former shadow transport secretary said: “Increased rail connectivity is needed across our region and these plans go totally against that.
“Forcing people to change trains and endure longer journey times are barriers to using our public transport systems.
“This Government should be doing everything in its power to encourage people out of their cars yet these proposals will make it harder for people to use public transport.”
Simon Clarke, Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said the proposals were an “undoubted concern” for his constituents – adding he was raising the issue with the train operator.
He added: “Some of the connection times are simply too long to be practical and will hurt commuters and leisure travellers alike.
“It’s frustrating as there is a lot that’s going right with our local rail connections, with Saltburn about to get a direct route to Leeds, York and Manchester, while Middlesbrough’s direct connection to King’s Cross kicks in later this year.
“I know from experience now that timetable changes can be incredibly complex because of the interaction between different services using the same line, and the need for safety margins.
“But if there is any way of finding a better solution, I will press the company to identify it.”
A spokesman for Northern said a consultation on the timetable changes was continuing as part of wider shifts of the East Coast Main Line.
He added the shift was designed to deliver the “benefits of over a decade of planning and investment” in the main line – before conceding the some passengers would see reduced connectivity and services.
The spokesman said: “The consultation is open until early August and we welcome all feedback on the proposals.
“We will continue to develop plans and timetables that deliver the best possible service for Northern’s customers as part of the wider industry changes.”
Article originally appeared on Darlington& Stockton times.
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