WARRINGTON'S MPs have found common ground and have both welcomed the nationalisation of TransPennine Express.

It was announced yesterday, Thursday, that the Government would be taking control of the rail service operator as the service's standards had not improved over the past few months.

The operator, one of the largest in the north west, runs services through stations including Warrington Central, and helps link the town to neighbouring cities such as Manchester.

Warrington Guardian: TransPennine Express is one of a handful of operators running services through Warrington Central stationTransPennine Express is one of a handful of operators running services through Warrington Central station (Image: Newsquest)

Yesterday, Transport Secretary Mark Harper announced that TransPennine Express would become 'operator of last resort' (OLR), meaning that the service's contract would not be renewed and it will come under the control of the Government.

This is due to the standard of services slipping, as well as there being numerous cancellations of services.

Taking the service into public control - or, 'nationalising' it - is a move that would not typically be associated with a Conservative government, which has favoured privatising services such as these, as the Tories believe that the private sector boosts efficiency, and leads to better services for the customer.

However, yesterday's announcement shows that this is not always the case.

Now, both of the MPs representing Warrington in the House of Commons have come out in favour of bringing TransPennine Express into public control, despite them sitting on opposite sides of the benches.

Warrington Guardian: Andy Carter backs the decision to nationalise TransPennine ExpressAndy Carter backs the decision to nationalise TransPennine Express (Image: Newsquest)

Andy Carter, Conservative MP for Warrington South, said: "I welcome the decision by the Transport Secretary not to renew TransPennine Express’ contract at the end of this month.

"I’ve had numerous constituents who depend on TPE services get in touch to tell me about the unacceptable delays and cancellations they’ve experienced. The level of service the franchise is currently providing for its customers is simply not good enough and this is an issue I’ve been liaising with ministers over."

He added: “As Mark Harper has made clear, bringing TPE into 'operator of last resort' is not a silver bullet which will fix things overnight, but it is a welcome fresh start.

"As an MP with TPE services running through my constituency, I’ll be working with the Government and regional mayors – who don’t cover Warrington – to ensure we get a better service for local rail users in our town.”

Warrington Guardian: Charlotte Nichols has lashed out at TransPennine Express, stating that the services provided have been 'abysmal'Charlotte Nichols has lashed out at TransPennine Express, stating that the services provided have been 'abysmal' (Image: Parliament UK)

Meanwhile, Labour's representative for Warrington North, Charlotte Nichols took to social media, posting: "After utterly abysmal services which have been a regular fixture of my mailbag for commuters relying on them, TransPennine Express are being taken under state control at the end of the month.

"I hope this will see the same improvements we saw when Northern came into public ownership in recent years."

Ms Nichols concluded: "I support all of the railway coming into public ownership, and being run not for franchisee profit but with profits reinvested back into the service, the rolling stock and the infrastructure so we can have a railway fit for the 21st century as we try to encourage more use of public transport to get towards 'Net Zero.'"

Warrington Guardian: Other operators, such as Northern, also run through Warrington CentralOther operators, such as Northern, also run through Warrington Central (Image: Newsquest)

Support for the move has been echoed across the region, with Lord McLoughlin, chair of Transport for the North, saying: "We welcome the decision announced by the Secretary of State to bring the contract under OLR for TransPennine Express.

"The TfN board’s position on this issue has been clear for some considerable time, that services need to significantly improve. While we have seen some improvements over recent months, to achieve the performance levels passengers expect and deserve, and that the northern economy needs, there is a need for a resetting of the operation.

”We will now look forward positively to discussing with our members and working with the government to ensure the best way to achieve a service that meets the expectations of those living and working in the north.”

TransPennine Express will come under the control of the Government on Sunday, May 28 - it is not expected to cause timetable disruptions.