Northern Rail continues to fail our communities.

Despite my constituents continually facing significant challenges accessing work, shopping and sporting events in Newcastle, Sunderland, and Middlesbrough, due to the substandard rail service. Northern Rail’s new two-hourly service from Middlesbrough to Newcastle conveniently bypasses Seaham and Horden stations.

A few weeks ago, I sat down with the Rail Minister to discuss this pressing issue. While he acknowledged my concerns, the proposed changes by Northern Rail miss the mark when it comes to meeting the needs of our community.

Today, I raised this again with the Rail Minister in Transport Questions, urging him once more to use his influence with Northern Rail to ensure that the new two-hourly service makes essential stops at Horden and Seaham.

This is the bare minimum that my constituents deserve to make a slight improvement to the unreliable and overcrowded Durham coastal train service.

I’m committed to continue to keep the pressure on Northern Rail and the government, to demand a service that truly delivers for our left-behind communities.