**NB: UPDATE ON THE BELOW 04/07/17**
Since the below statement was issued, Northern Rail have issued a clarification on the proposed timetable which states some timetable changes were generated by a ‘system error’. A full version of Northern Rail’s correspondence, as sent to Ann Coffey MP, is available here: https://www.facebook.com/ann.coffey.566
However, despite this clarified information, the proposals still appear to reduce, rather than increase peak services and introduce a more irregular service distribution. As such, the Stockport Labour Group have issued a formal response to Northern Rail on the Proposals, which can be read here: http://wp.me/p2id4f-1ml
Stockport Labour is highly concerned by recent proposals to significantly reduce the number of trains which stop at Davenport and Woodsmoor stations during peak hours.
The timetable proposals form part of a Northern Rail consultation on services from Buxton to Manchester. The proposals seek to reduce journey times on that route.
However, to do so this proposes a reduction in services stopping at Both Davenport and Woodsmoor stations from nine trains pre-9.30am down to six. Alongside this, the proposed distribution of services would change from regular to intermittent; with two trains 14 minutes apart in the hour followed by a long wait instead of roughly half hourly.
Stockport Labour are already working with relevant partners to make clear the deleterious effects this could have for rail users, and lobby that these plans be dropped.
While Stockport Labour are supportive of reducing journey times from Buxton to Manchester, we agree with Friends Of Davenport Station and Woodsmoor Friends Group, that reducing valued services is not the way to achieve this. Improved timetables and journey times must be accomplished through the requisite infrastructure investment, as opposed to cutting corners which will significantly impact upon people’s lives, many of whom choose to live where they do due to transport links.
We call upon the relevant parties to work together to find a solution which does not curtail services and will continue to work toward this.