Chris Grayling faces growing storm over rail chaos

Pressure was growing on Chris Grayling to “get a grip” on Britain’s railways today following the shambolic introduction of a new timetable.

The Transport Secretary has said he was prepared to sack one of London’s worst-performing train companies GTR if it was judged to have been “negligent” in its preparations.

But in an unprecedented move, 25 newspapers in the north of England joined forces today to run front page articles calling on Theresa May to take charge of the situation.

They also raised a threat to progress towards London’s Crossrail 2 project, arguing that the north’s trans-Pennine high-speed line should take priority.

The political storm followed millions of passengers suffering crippling delays and cancellations in the timetable switchover, with disruption particularly severe on Northern and Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) services.

In the Commons yesterday, MPs from all parties lashed out at rail firms — while Mr Grayling faced repeated calls to resign from the Opposition. Heaping blame on the rail operators, Mr Grayling said they had promised “until the last moment” that the timetable changes would be smoothly accomplished. “The rail industry has collectively failed to deliver for the passengers it serves,” he said.

Asked by Croydon South MP Chris Philp to consider stripping GTR of its franchise, Mr Grayling said he would if it was found negligent by an inquiry. He revealed that GTR “assured me personally that they were ready” just three weeks before services were rescheduled on May 20. The northern newspapers called on Mrs May to lead an emergency summit in Downing Street and to review the future of rail franchising.