Sunday shoppers face travel delays

Commuters hoping to travel to Manchester on a Sunday will have to use rail replacement services early next year.

Engineering works means that buses will replace trains between Hebden Bridge and Manchester Victoria on all Sundays from 9 January to 13 February.

During this time a fast bus will call at Rochdale en route to and from Victoria, with slower buses stopping at Littleborough, Smithy Bridge, Rochdale, Castleton, Mills Hill and Moston.

As a result the first service will arrive later than normal and the last bus leaving Manchester will depart earlier than the trains usually do.

Richard Greenwood, Chairman of Support the Oldham, Rochdale and Manchester Rail lines (STORM), said there are serious deficiencies in the service.

Mr Greenwood said: “I am afraid to say that these timings are not acceptable. It is a mockery of what Northern have undertaken to do in their franchise.

“There is still time to see sense and do something about them.”

Northern Rail said that some trains will still be running but commuters should check online before travelling.

A Northern Rail spokesperson said: “Unfortunately the journey times will be extended with the use of buses. It is the only way we can offer a service with the work that needs to be done.”