I am regularly contacted by constituents frustrated by the sub-standard rail service from Horden and Seaham stations. For years, Northern’s service has fallen short; just one train per hour, frequent cancellations, delays, and overcrowded two-carriage trains leaving passengers stranded on platforms.

While I warmly welcome the government’s plans to procure 450 new Northern trains for the North of England, delivery isn’t expected until at least 2030.

That’s why I’m asking for immediate solutions, including:

✅ ORR to approve Grand Central’s application to stop at Seaham four times a day, easing pressure on existing services to Sunderland and Hartlepool.

✅ Semi-fast Northern services from Middlesbrough to Newcastle stopping at Seaham and Horden to increase the service to 2 per hour.

I have written to the Secretary of State for Transport, calling on her to encourage the ORR to approve Grand Central’s application and support these vital improvements for our community.