The government has reacted after Andy Burnham was urged to take a train journey from Manchester to Whitby and back.
Highlighting the inadequate rail and bus services to the North Yorkshire coast, the challenge came from Whitby councillor Phil Trumper last week.
According to online ticket provider Trainline, the fastest train from Manchester to Whitby takes four hours and 19 minutes, while returning takes four hours and 12 minutes. However, the typical round trip is closer to 11 hours.
In response, a spokesperson for the Department for Transport stated that they are investing £11bn to enhance travel times across the Pennines.
Conservative councillor Trumper remarked: “What is the King of the North, based in Manchester, doing to improve transport on the coast?”
“I would invite the new prime minister to travel from Manchester to Whitby by rail and see if he gets there at a suitable time and then get back to Manchester on the same day.”
As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a government representative mentioned that efforts are underway to investigate more frequent Middlesbrough to Whitby services.
They also emphasized a £45bn pledge for upgrading railway services in northern England.
The Department for Transport spokesperson added: “We’re collaborating with regional leaders to look into more frequent Middlesbrough to Whitby services while investing £11bn to enhance journey times across the Pennines. We’re also considering broader connections between key northern cities like York and Manchester through Northern Powerhouse Rail.”
“This £45bn commitment will bring about significant upgrades for northern railway services in a generation and improve access to opportunities that promote growth, create jobs, and help families financially.”
A train from Manchester to Whitby takes more than four hours [Getty Images]
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, mentioned he is “always working on how we can improve people’s transport across the county”.
He told attendees at a meeting of the Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee last week: “We’ve pushed hard on improving connectivity between York and Scarborough already; this will come in time.”
“We always want better rail and bus connectivity because it’s still one of the most sustainable ways for most people to travel around this region.” p >
However,hesaidto span >councillorsmoreinvestmentwas“incredibly ” expensive”. p >
Alison Hume , MP for Scarborough and Whitby , said she was “tearing her hair out ” over the slow pace of rail improvements.p >
She said :“I’m afraid I haven’t managed to land any kind of rail improvement from Sleights to Whitby , even though I promised that as a candidate.” p > em >
“Bus improvements will be coming , and I’m working tirelessly behindthe scenes on improving trainservicesfrom Scarboroughto Yorkand Whitbyto Middlesbrough.” p >
A half-hourlytrainservicebetween Yorkand Scarboroughwillstartfrom December2028. p >
Listen tohightlightsfrom North Yorkshireon BBCSounds, catchupwiththelatestepisodeof Look North. p >Moreonthisstory
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