MP teams up for rail campaign

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen is teaming up with colleagues from across the Pennines to campaign for a better railway deal for the North of England.

Mr. Rowen was invited by Sheffield MP Angela Smith – a campaigner to save the Woodhead Tunnel – to a meeting in the House of Commons on 2 March to discuss a push for greater railway investment in the North. Other MP’s asked to join the discussions include Michael Meacher and Phil Woolas.

Mr. Rowen said: “I think it’s great that MP’s from all parties can get together and tackle a subject which affects many of our constituents. Currently, rail investment in the North is substantially lower than in the South East and we needs to address why this is the case, especially as we have some of the busiest railway lines in the country.

“I have campaigned tirelessly for the Government to stick to their promise of providing extra carriages, especially now that the Oldham Line is being converted for the Metrolink. Of course, we need the co-operation of MP’s from across the Pennines so I look forward to working with my colleagues to come up with a plan that will address key concerns such as overcrowding, the shortage of rolling stock and high speed rail plans.”

In a letter to all northern MP’s, Mrs Smith wrote: ‘For some time I have been concerned that the North has been poorly placed in terms of rail investment, particularly when compared with London and the South East.

Of course, London has particular needs as the capital, but the differential in investment now appears beyond reasonable justification.”

She also has the support of the five northern integrated transport authorities, as well as the North Way group of regional development agencies and the Manchester-based North West Rail Campaign.

Roger Jones, director of the North West Rail Campaign said: “We have been saying for years that the North has been badly done to and this is a great chance to do something about it.”

The meeting comes as Network Rail released the ‘Northern Hub’ report this week which outlined the constraints on the rail network in the North, and the changes needed to upgrade rail services for business and leisure travellers.