"Right action" has been taken over Northern Rail, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP says

The former Rail Minister welcomed the move by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps which effectively brought the failing operation back under Government control.

It is understood that Northern will cease operations on March 1, with Government officials then moving in to take control.

Mr Jones confirmed he will now be holding talks with Mr Shapps, seeking assurances that Harrogate and Knaresborough services will not be even further disrupted by the switch.

“Where we have a service that is failing passengers it is right that action is taken,” he said. “That action should put passengers at the front and centre of any changes, which is not the experience that many of my constituents tell me they have received in the past.

“I have discussed performance with Northern Rail in the past but it remains the case that the service offered remains far from satisfactory.

“During any transition away from Northern Rail we need to ensure that services continue to run - hopefully services which are improving in punctuality all the time - and that the new rolling stock must continue to be brought into service.

“I will be raising these concerns directly with the Secretary of State for Transport. We need to ensure that the change in operator is accompanied by a measurable programme of improvement.

“That is what passengers want and that is what the train service should be focussed on providing.”