Northern and RMT end dispute to restore North West Sunday trains

Summarised from 4 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 11 Nov, 18:33 · Archive

Northern and the RMT union have reached an agreement to restore between 60 and 80 Sunday train services across the North West, ending the railway's longest-running industrial dispute.

Northern and the RMT union have reached an agreement to end the railway's longest-running industrial dispute. The deal will allow the restoration of between 60 and 80 additional Sunday train services across the North West, with around 70 trains returning each Sunday starting from 13 December. A full Sunday timetable is set to be restored by May 2027.

Services between Blackburn and Clitheroe have been singled out as a priority for immediate reinstatement. Clitheroe has gone more than two years without regular Sunday services. The Colne to Preston line will also see improved reliability, as while some Sunday services have run, they have been inconsistent.

Jonathan Hinder, MP for Pendle and Clitheroe, described the announcement as a major victory for passengers who have endured years of disruption. He said he had been campaigning on the issue since his election, making the case both to the Transport Secretary in Parliament and directly to Northern Rail bosses. He characterised the previous situation as something that would not be tolerated in London or the South East.

Northern said the agreement with the RMT creates the foundations for a more reliable seven-day railway. The Chorley Guardian reports that the deal will result in reduced services across wider Lancashire, though the outlets do not specify which services will be affected or by how much.

The dispute had been the longest-running industrial dispute on the railway, caused by disagreements over staffing and Sunday working arrangements. The agreement marks a significant resolution after years of complaints from rail users across the region.

How it is being reported

• Northern Rail agrees deal with RMT to restore Sunday services to East LancashireThe deal will see around 70 trains return each Sunday, starting from 13 December, with a full Sunday timetable set to be restored by May 2027, improving services between Manchester Victoria and Clitheroe.Burnley Express · 11 Nov, 14:40
• Lancashire rail services to see shakeup as historic rail union dispute endsA deal struck between Northern and RMT spells good news for Clitheroe passengers, but reduced services across wider Lancashire.Chorley Guardian · 11 Nov, 12:07
• Sunday trains to return to East Lancs after more than two yearsSunday train services are set to return to Clitheroe after Northern and the RMT union reached an agreement ending the railway's longest-running industrial dispute.Lancashire Telegraph · 11 Nov, 05:00
• More Sunday services as union and rail bosses reach landmark deal to end North West railway disputeThe deal will allow Northern to begin restoring between 60 and 80 additional Sunday train services across the North WestChorley Guardian · 9 Nov, 17:49
• Major travel update as Northern reaches landmark agreement to restore Sunday train services serving Blackpool“This agreement gives us the foundation to build a more reliable, modern railway that works seven days a week.”Blackpool Gazette · 9 Nov, 16:30

In this story: Northern · RMT · Clitheroe · East Lancashire · North West · Jonathan Hinder · Blackburn · Colne

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