Rail firm restores axed Manchester to Leeds trains

A rail operator has announced plans to restore train services across parts of the north of England after they were axed last year in a bid to drive up punctuality.

TransPennine Express is to reintroduce journeys between Manchester and Leeds at a frequency of four trains an hour from 15 December.

The government-controlled firm had cut back services last year to help improve reliability.

Other changes planned by the operator from December include boosting the number of services between Liverpool and Manchester to two an hour between Monday and Saturday, with fewer services on Sundays.

This includes express journeys between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Victoria, call at only at Newton-le-Willows or Lea Green alternately.

Some of the trains will be switched from diesel to electric as part of the changes, TransPennine Express said.

The changes will see an increase of 1,300 more seats for passengers each day, the operator added.

Elsewhere, more evening services between Manchester and Oxenholme, calling at Bolton, Preston and Lancaster will also be introduced.

A new hourly service in Castleford, Normanton and Wakefield, connecting them to Manchester and York, is also planned.

David Hoggarth from Transport for the North said the restoration was a "positive step" after the "difficult decision" to cut services last year.

The body would continue to work operators to improve their reliability and "re-build confidence", he added.

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