18Jan 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
On the wrong track: cuts to Northern rail investment condemned

On the wrong track: cuts to Northern rail investment condemned

Borough news
The Oldham Liberal Democrats have condemned the Conservative Government for once more derailing plans for significant investment in Northern rail services. The government has decided that Transport for the North will lose 40% of its core funding, down from £6 million from £10 million, and a fifth of its total annual support, in the next financial year. The Department of Transport has also cancelled plans to introduce contactless ticketing, like London’s Oyster card system, across the North of England. For Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of Oldham Council’s Liberal Democrat Group, who also serves as one of Oldham’s representatives on the board of Transport for Greater Manchester, the latest news is a significant blow. Commenting Councillor Sykes said: “Whilst the London Crossrail project receives ever more government funding, Northern rail…
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03Nov 2018 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Liberal Democrat Leader says Northern Rail links are short-changed whilst Government finds even more cash for London Crossrail

Borough news
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Leader of the Opposition on Oldham Council, has condemned the Government’s recent decision to give a further £350 million bail out to the London Crossrail project whilst continuing to deny money to complete much-needed rail infrastructure projects in the North of England. Councillor Sykes, who also serves as Oldham’s representative on Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “The cost of the Crossrail project in central London has gone up yet again to £15.4 billion and it is way behind schedule, yet this Government continues to find more and more money to bail it out.” “When it comes to rail services there is a distinct North-South divide,” he added.  “Northern Rail services are a farce - our passengers have to travel…
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