Andy Burnham has demanded that first-class carriages be scrapped on Northern trains until there’s a “decent service”.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester said that until the North gets the expanded timetable that it was originally promised all the way back in 2014, then he “couldn’t see a justification” for first class compartments “when people can’t get a seat”, and when they are paying ticket prices “at the level that they are”.
Speaking to fellow Northern leaders at a meeting last week, Mr Burnham added that ongoing disruptions are a part of the “managed decline in the railways of northern England.”
He added that there’s “no end in sight.”
He also made sure to note that it will include cuts to weekend services and standing room only on key lines for five to 10 years.
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After refusing to endorse the timetable until the government provided a firm infrastructure plan for the Castlefield corridor, according to the MEN, the Mayor then went a step further, saying: “If we sign this off, we all know what the reality will be for at least five years, more like ten years, on rail services across the north, particularly between Manchester and Leeds.
“It will mean people unable to find a seat because we’ve got a reduced number of services.”
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Andy Burnham has demanded that first-class carriages be scrapped on Northern trains until there’s a “decent service” / Credit: Network Rail
Mr Burnham continued: “It will mean standing up all the way back to Manchester, and that will just be the reality for people for years and years and years to come.
“Until we get back to the expanded timetable we were promised… trains should be declassified.
“I can’t see a justification for first class compartments when people can’t get a seat, when they are paying ticket prices at the level that they are.”
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Former Chancellor George Osborne had first promised expansions at Manchester Piccadilly Station via new platforms 15 and 16 and Oxford Road Station all the way back in 2014 in order to relieve the Castlefield corridor.
But, this expansion is yet to be signed off.
Mr Burnham said that ongoing disruptions are a part of the “managed decline in the railways of northern England.” / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Instead, a new “high-performing” rail timetable that’s aimed at cutting delays and “unclogging” the Castlefield corridor was approved back in October, and is expected to come into force in December 2022.
The timetable for December 2022 is currently out to consultation for a second time – however, a report to the northern body Transport for North last week noted that the move comes with a trade-off, in that “the number of trains that can use the corridor will effectively be capped”.
Andy Burnham informed his fellow leaders that he had recently been told of cuts to weekend services that Greater Manchester had not previously known about, although he did not elaborate.
It is understood the changed timetable would see fewer weekend services between Blackpool North and Manchester among others, the MEN reports.
Featured Image – Sky News | Northern
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Murder investigation launched after injured woman found dead at house in Bolton
Emily Sergeant
A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a woman in Bolton.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers responded to reports of an assault on Yewdale Avenue in Bolton at around 3:15am yesterday morning (4 August 2026), and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman who had ‘sustained injuries’ and was unresponsive
Despite the best efforts of emergency services, the woman – who is said to be in her 30s – was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning, police confirmed.
Police say they believe this is an ‘isolated incident’ with no wider public threat.
With a murder investigation now proceeding at pace, GMP is appealing to the public for information. They said in a statement: “We understand how troubling this news will be, and whilst formal identification has yet to take place, the believed family are being supported by specialist officers.”
“A scene will remain in place as officers continue the investigation and we will have an increased police presence in the area.
“I’d like to reassure you that this was an isolated incident that is not believed to pose a wider risk to the public, and we currently have a man in custody in relation to the incident.
“I urge anyone who may have information to support our enquiries to please come forward”.
Can you help? Anyone with information that may assist police enquiries is asked to contact GMP on 0161 856 2270, quoting log 321 of 04/08/26.
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Google Maps
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Work on Greater Manchester’s very own ‘Tebay-style’ motorway service station is finally underway
Danny Jones
You heard us right: the time has come for Greater Manchester to level up its service station game, as work on the long-talked-about Tebay-style venue over in Trafford has finally begun.
Those motorway trips are about to get even better.
We first heard about the vision to provide a brand-new Tatton Services back in March 2022, with the Westmorland Family – known not only for Tebay but the similarly popular Gloucester and Cairns Lodge equivalents – promising to deliver a new top-quality stop-off point in the region.
It’s one that people across the North West have been keeping a keen eye on ever since, and now the dial is finally moving on the major project. You can see more detailed images here:
With the Westmorlands and the official Tatton Estate agreeing a partnership that weighs heavily in the former’s favour, the new services will be located around the M56 near the Bowdon Roundabout in Altrincham.
Bordering the electoral ward of Trafford and Cheshire, it is set to be located between junctions seven and eight of the M6 motorway near neighbouring Millington and Rostherne.
It’s estimated to cost more than £65 million and will be one of the most expensive developments of its kind the country has ever seen, with only the pending Chalfont St Peter station by Extra Motorway Services Group set to be more expensive (approximately £90m).
As per Forecourt Trader, the blueprints include a dedicated 100-room hotel, one of their trademark farm shops that those travelling rave about so much, a petrol station, as well as 40 charging bays for electric vehicles. Service station facilities have come a long way since 1972, when Tebay first opened.
However, while plans are at long last getting underway, it will be arriving much later than expected, with the initial opening date slated for some time later this year; instead, it is now they are now aiming for spring 2028, meaning you’ll just have to make do with the OG for now.
We promise this was purely a coincidence on our way back from Kendal Calling 2026, by the way…
Speaking on behalf of family, the Tatton Services Proposal team, and members of the estate, Westmorland chair Sarah Dunning said in a recent statement on the update: “We’re very excited to bring our proper food offer and ethos to Cheshire.
“From day one, this is about creating something rooted in the local landscape and community. We have committed to working with at least 70 producers within 30 miles of the site – and we hope that number will grow as relationships flourish.
“We’re also creating over 400 skilled jobs for local people, alongside apprenticeships and training programmes designed to build meaningful, long-term careers in the food industry. Our ambition is not only to serve travellers but to create opportunities and lasting value for the communities around us.”
What do you make of the proposed plans for the ‘next Tebay‘?
Emily Sergeant -
17th December 2021 
