Transport secretary insists rail dispute 'on the path' to being resolved during Manchester visit
The transport secretary is hopeful the long-running industrial dispute affecting rail can finally be resolved - but insists unions must agree on reform. Mark Harper spoke to the Manchester Evening News following a meeting with northern metro mayors on Wednesday , including Greater Manchester's Andy Burnham, about the chaos which has blighted the region's railways throughout the year.
"I've got a meeting scheduled with Aslef next week and I'm encouraging the trade unions and employers to get round the table, hammer out that deal on workforce reform, which then delivers some of the financial savings that can help make up a better pay offer. It's only really by doing that that you can get to a position where you've got a railway that's fit for the 21st century and we can then deliver some of those better services for passengers.
He wants to ensure there are 'no blockages' to progress in the dispute - but Mr Lynch still believes the government is showing an 'astonishing lack of urgency'. In a letter to business leaders penned on Tuesday, he wrote: "By this Friday more than a week will have passed since I met the Secretary of State without an offer being put on the table. Time is running out."
Speaking of his meeting with metro mayors today, he said: "I made it very clear before we kicked off that they weren't having to do a big persuasion job with me about the fact services are not good enough. They obviously landed their points very strongly about reinforcing that." Asked if the operator could face the same fate as Northern in 2020, which was brought back into public control, he added: "I have to be very careful about what I say. If I make decisions about awarding contracts I've got to do those based on the evidence and they've got to be well thought through, reasoned decisions that will stand up to legal challenge."
"I haven't heard a very compelling case on why that is a good idea. But the legislation for delivering that section of the line is going to be going to a select committee in parliament soon.
Danmark Seneste Nyt, Danmark Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også læse nyheder, der ligner denne, som vi har indsamlet fra andre nyhedskilder.
Mark Harper hints at talks between train operators and unions to end northern rail miseryMark Harper hints at talks between train operators and unions to end northern rail misery 🔴RichardVaughan1 + singharj
Læs mere »
Northern Mayors meet transport secretary over rail chaos as cancellations cost £8million a weekNorthern Mayors meet transport secretary over rail chaos as cancellations cost £8million a week 🔴 “This chaos is having a devastating impact on the northern economy and our attempts to rebuild from the pandemic'
Læs mere »
Northern mayors to meet transport secretary over rail disruptionRail passengers in the north of England have recently been badly hit by strikes and cancellations.
Læs mere »
Bus passengers 'could be pushed to dark, damp, pigeon-infested streets' by transport hubThe Shrewsbury Big Town Plan, which would involve several large changes to the town centre including a riverside plaza, proposes to have a 'multimodal transport hub', something campaigners say is 'unsafe'.
Læs mere »