HL Deb 26 October 2004 vol 665 c122WA
Lord Greaves

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the cuts in services on the east Lancashire line in the new autumn timetable (which mean that many trains do not stop at some stations) accord with the franchise agreement which covers this line. [HL4508]

Lord Davies of Oldham

First North Western is operating a reduced service from some stations on the Colne-Preston line in order to combat the performance problems caused by leaf-fall. The changes have been approved by the Strategic Rail Authority and derogations from the Passenger Service Requirement granted, as allowed by the franchise agreement. 'The stops will be reintroduced from December 12.