Pupils left stranded at Smithy Bridge Station

Smithy Bridge Railway Station

Pupils left stranded at Smithy Bridge Station on 9 October when the 15.21 train which should have stopped at 15.39, shot through Smithy Bridge station with empty coaches at 15.43, leaving two young (female) Wardle High School pupils who use the train every school day to travel to Walsden stranded with another hour to wait.

There is no customer information screen, and neither there a public address nor is the help phone working, making Smithy Bridge a rather desolate place if these things happen.

According to Real Train Times, the service was 'cancelled throughout due to a planning error'.

A gentleman on the opposite platform, having ascertained the position via Network Rail, was able to advise them.

A spokesperson for STORM said: "Why don't they announce it and tell us."

Don Jary, Client & Stakeholder Manager West Northern Rail Ltd said: "The 15.21 ex Manchester Victoria was cancelled as a result of issues arising from operational problems in the Leeds area. The following service (15:48 ex Man Vic) had additional stops put in at intermediate stations including Walsden".