Hazel Grove MP Lisa Smart has challenged rail operator Northern over 'unacceptable' performance.

Speaking to transport secretary Louise Haigh in Parliament, the Lib Dem MP described Northern as one of "the most unreliable train operating companies".

Ms Smart is due to meet with Northern, to discuss performance and challenge the operator on cancellations which she says have 'plagued the network'.

"Dozens of passengers have been in touch with me about this", she said. "One person told us he is driving out of the constituency to get a tram rather than rely on the terrible train service.

"Another had to take a taxi all the way back from central Manchester as the only way back after the last train was cancelled."

"It is simply not acceptable. I expect clear improvements, or I expect action to be taken by the government to intervene."

A spokesperson for Northern accepted that recent performance has 'not been good enough', and apologised to customers.

"We are sorry for our recent performance, accept it has not been good enough and understand the impact this has on our customers", the spokesperson said.

"Cancellations are always a last resort and only applied when we have no other option. 

"Train crew availability remains an issue in the North West, especially on Sundays which rely on crews volunteering to work additional hours. 

"We have secured a new rest-day working agreement for our train drivers and are keen to agree a way forward on Sundays with our conductors, by working closely with them and their union representatives."

A Northern train at Davenport railway station (Image - Alasdair Perry)

It comes not long after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham called for substantial reform to the way Northern rail operated.

Speaking to the BBC, the mayor said: "[Northern] are waiting on an agreement from government to get rest day working agreements in place, so not all of this is under Northern's control. But a lot of it is."

He added: "We've seen a big deterioration in performance of Northern Trains in recent months, they need to be held to account"

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