MP hails massive step forwards in ‘Sack Northern’ campaign as minister suggests franchise is set to be stripped from rail company

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has welcomed the news this morning that Northern Rail is now likely to be stripped of its franchise as a massive step forward in the 'Sack Northern' campaign.

In an interview on the BBC this morning, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps appeared to confirm under-fire operator Northern Rail will be stripped of its franchise due to poor performance.

Tim said: "This looks like a really big breakthrough in our long running campaign to 'Sack Northern'.

"Once again over the Christmas and New Year holidays, hundreds of passengers have been left stranded on stations across the South Lakes and the rest of the north of England because of Northern's complete failure to actually run trains on a train line.

"Northern's service has been completely inadequate with years of cancelled trains, shoddy services and pathetic excuses - to the point that we had to work together as a community and run our own services on two separate occasions over the past 18 months.

"Removing Northern's franchise won't come a moment too soon - I only wish this Conservative Government had realised the north's train services were in chaos sooner.

"Now the minister must walk the walk - it's time for Northern to go."