TransPennine Express is to be brought under government control due to “continuous cancellations”, it has been announced.
Following what has been several months of significant disruption and regular cancellations for rail passengers across the UK, which the Government says has resulted in “a considerable decline in confidence” for those who rely on the trains to get to work, visit family and friends, and go about their daily lives, it’s been announced today that TransPennine Express (TPE) is to be brought under Government control.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper has confirmed that he will not renew or extend the train operator’s contract at the end of this month.
This will therefore bring the company into what is known as ‘operator of last resort’ from 28 May.
We’re bringing TransPennine Express services under the Operator of Last Resort from 28th May.
Services will run as normal for passengers with no changes to tickets or timetables.
Over the past couple on months, especially from February onwards when the operating company was put on a ‘recovery plan’ and a meeting was held with local Mayors to “discuss a way forward”, the Department for Transport (DfT) has been working with TPE to improve services – but those improvements have not been sufficient, leading the Government to come to a decision that both TPE’s contract and the underlying relationships “must be reset”.
The Government says this decision has been made to achieve the performance levels that passengers deserve, as well as “what the Northern economy needs”.
In has been stressed by the Government, however, that today’s decision to take control of TPE will not “instantaneously resolve” the challenges, but as mentioned, will provide opportunity to reset relationships between the operator, staff, trade unions, and passengers.
Government to take control of TransPennine Express due to ‘continuous cancellations’ / Credit: TPE
“In my time as Transport Secretary, I have been clear that passenger experience must always come first,” Transport Secretary Mark Harper said of the decision.
“After months of commuters and Northern businesses bearing the brunt of continuous cancellations, I’ve made the decision to bring Transpennine Express into operator of last resort [but] this is not a silver bullet and will not instantaneously fix a number of challenges being faced.”
Mr Harper has also called on train drivers’ union ASLEF to “play their part” by calling off all upcoming strikes and the rest day working ban – which prevents drivers from taking on overtime shifts and filling in gaps on services.
He wants the operator to put, what he calls, the Government’s “very fair and reasonable pay offer” to a democratic vote of their members.
The rail company will be brought under ‘operator of last resort’ at the end of this month / Credit: TPE
What will ‘operator of last resort’ mean?
The Government has explained that under ‘operator of last resort’, TPE services will run as normal with no changes to tickets, timetables, or planned services.
The DfT is apparently “committed to ensuring a seamless transition” for all passengers.
It has also been stressed that the move to bring TPE into the control of the operator of last resort is only a temporary move, and it is the Government’s “full intention” that the company will eventually return to the private sector.
It is understood that no timeline for this has been set out or revealed as of yet.
Featured Image – Jonny Walton (via TPE)
News
Police appeal for witnesses after body of woman recovered from reservoir in Oldham
Emily Sergeant
An urgent appeal for witnesses has been issued after the body of a woman was recovered from a reservoir in Oldham.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that emergency services responded to an incident at Strinesdale Reservoir, in Oldham, after receiving reports of a woman getting into difficulty in the water this past weekend.
The incident was said to have taken place at around 4:50pm on Sunday 17 August 2025.
Sadly, despite the prompt call to emergency services, the woman lost her life and her body was subsequently recovered from the water.
#APPEAL | We are appealing for witnesses following the recovery of the body of a woman from Strinesdale Reservoir, #Oldham, on Sunday 17/8/25.
Any info? 📞 police on 101 quoting log 2357 17/08/25, or contact @CrimestoppersUK.
Police say there are believed to be ‘no suspicious circumstances’ surrounding the woman’s death, and are instead focusing their investigations on trying to understand what happened by calling on witnesses for information.
“We are appealing for witnesses who may have seen her as she entered the water,” GMP said in its witness appeal.
Officers are also keep to learn more about the moments prior to her entering the water, and are urging anyone with information to come forward and help with enquiries.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting log 2357 17/08/25, or by use the LiveChat service on the GMP website at www.gmp.police.uk.
Independent charity Crimestoppers can also be contacted, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons / Geograph
News
New £350m sustainable neighbourhood in Stockport given the green light
Emily Sergeant
Planning permission has been granted for a new ‘walkable and sustainable’ neighbourhood in Stockport town centre.
A major milestone has been reached for Stockport’s transformation, as the new mixed residential mini-village, ‘Stockport 8’ – which was put forward by the local LLP of the same name, set up as part of a partnership between Stockport Council and ECF (English Cities Fund) – has been given the green light, helping to make it one of the most sustainable and liveable town centres in the UK.
The eight-acre site is just one in a series of regeneration projects led by Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), as part of ambitious plans to develop land west of the town centre under the ‘Town Centre West’ (TCW) scheme.
The development is a key element of the wider £1 billion investment currently being delivered.
The plans were recommended for approval at Stockport’s central area committee at the end of July, and were then approved at planning committee last week (14 August).
A new £350m sustainable neighbourhood in Stockport has been given the green light / Credit: Supplied
Located on land either side of King Street West and next to the historic viaduct, the £350m mixed residential neighbourhood – which includes many affordable properties – is expected to ‘breathe life’ back into what was once a ‘thriving’ area under the railway arches, connecting Stockport Interchange with nearby communities in the process.
The plans will deliver approximately 1,300 new high-quality homes to suit existing residents and new homeowners moving into the Greater Manchester town in the next decade.
There’ll be be a mix of residential properties, including build-to-rent and owner-occupier – with a range of sizes to meet the needs of different households.
The development is also centred around ‘vibrant’ public spaces where people can meet and relax outdoors, helping to improve the wellbeing of residents, while a pedestrian-only street will run through the centre, again to encourage interaction.
“We’re not adopting a one-size-fits-all approach at Stockport 8,” explained Catherine Chilvers, who is the Managing Director of Stockport MDC.
“Instead, we are investing in high-quality and energy- efficient housing that offers so much more for people at all stages of life.
“The development sets the bar high for town centre living, creating a considered neighbourhood for residents along with leisure and employment opportunities, while outdoor squares, with a multitude of uses, will allow people to feel connected and enable families to grow.”
Emily Sergeant -
11th May 2023 
