ANYONE reading through train operator Northern’s announcement of its May timetable changes could be forgiven for wondering what the fuss was about.
Its claim that the “overwhelming majority of services” would be unaltered with a “small number of changes to specific lines” is indeed correct. What is more difficult to grasp without additional context is that some of these changes are sufficient to mean the train is no longer an option for certain journeys.
Rail is now out of the question for Whitby and Esk Valley residents needing to reach Middlesbrough before 10.15 on a morning as the 06.30 from Whitby, introduced less than four years ago, was withdrawn with effect from the new timetable. The reason given by Northern was low patronage. It says removal of the service has allowed it to add another
