Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, Liberal Democrat and Opposition Leader on Oldham Council, has welcomed the U-turn by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) to remain part of the unlimited rail travel schemes, Interrail and Eurail.

Earlier this week Councillor Sykes was very critical of the decision (see below).

“I welcome this U-turn; it was a silly idea.  Credit where credit is due, the RDG have listened to the uproar caused by their plans and very sensibility thrown them in the bin,” stated Councillor Sykes.

Copy of what I said on 8 August 2019

Interrail axed by British Rail Group is a nail in coffin for UK tourism and young people says Liberal Democrats

As of next year, Britain will no longer be part of the European wide Interrail scheme.  Eurail, who runs Interrail, have stated that Britain’s Rail Delivery Group (RDG) will not be part of the Eurail and the Interrail Pass effective from January 2020.  

Liberal Democrat Councillor Howard Sykes MBE says this move would mean young people will have their travel options restricted and end up harming UK businesses in the process. The RDG stopped the scheme because they say it was confusing to offer it alongside the BritRail pass.

Although people from other countries will be able to use the Eurostar to get to London, they will be discouraged from exploring outside the City and not provide tourism and spending to the rest of the UK, especially the north.  This makes it complicated for tourists abroad but also difficult for UK citizens wanting to explore Europe, some may even have to fly.

Councillor Sykes MBE commented:

“These tickets are popular among teenagers and gap year students in Oldham Borough who wish to explore a bit more of the world.  This is a small-minded limitation on those who have less money to spend, this silly move by the British Rail Delivery Group is limiting youth opportunity.  There may also be other consequences for those in the UK if people from Britain end up excluded from the Interrail tickets on mainland Europe.”

“The big irony is, that the changes will make it more confusing and inaccessible.  Many people have been Interrailing in mainland Europe I fear this is the start of the end of that very cost-effective experience for our citizens and especially the young or those on limited budgets.”

“The Interrail pass allows holders to travel on almost all trains within Europe to explore the continent.  But from 1 January 2020, they will no longer cover the UK.  The fear is that UK citizens will then be excluded from this scheme as another consequence.”

First Manchester will be making some changes to commercial services 24, 181 & 182 with effect from 2^nd September.

Service 24 (Rochdale – Royton – Manchester): This Monday to Friday peak only service (which currently consists of departures from Rochdale at 0600, 0626 & 0650 and departures from Manchester at 1623, 1723, 1753 & 1823) will be withdrawn.  Service 409 provides an alternative service between Rochdale and Royton and services 181 & 182 continue to provide links between Royton, Chadderton and Manchester.

First Manchester have provided patronage data which shows on average 6.55 passengers per trip boarding between Rochdale and Royton on the AM journeys.

Alternatives exist by transferring at Royton, between services 409 and 181/182.

Service 181 (Rochdale – Shaw – Royton – Manchester): The Monday to Saturday day-time service will be reduced from every 30 minutes to hourly. The weekday peak service will still operate every 30 minutes.  Service 181 will combine with service 182 to provide a 20 minute off peak daytime service betweenChadderton and Manchester.

Service 182 (Rochdale – Shaw – Royton – Manchester): Morning peak journeys which currently extend from Rochdale at 0526 and Milnrow at 0604, 0633, 0658 & 0723 will be revised and replaced by journeys (from Milnrow only) at 0559, 0623 & 0653.  The following Saturday early morning journeys will be revised:

0514 Chadderton – Manchester – retimed 30 minutes later

0550 & 0650 Manchester – Shaw – replaced by one journey at 0620.

0551 Shaw – Manchester withdrawn.  There are alternative journeys within 30 minutes.

The journeys at 0514 and 0550 were introduced in April 2018 as part of a trial to stimulate early morning usage. On average these journeys are only carrying 5 passengers per trip.

For the changes to services 181 and 182, there are alternative journeys on service 58 from Rochdale to Milnrow and Shaw at 0600 and 0700.  Metrolink also provides an option for passengers travelling between Manchester and Shaw.

The current timetables for these services can be found here: https://assets.ctfassets.net/nv7y93idf4jq/1lIHFRsLvwP74McskAqi9L/d720d7fcf8eb1b3c89a8edce5681824a/19-SC-0025_Bus_Times_23__24__181__182.pdf

As of next year, Britain will no longer be part of the European wide Interrail scheme.  Eurail, who runs Interrail, have stated that Britain’s Rail Delivery Group (RDG) will not be part of the Eurail and the Interrail Pass effective from January 2020.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Howard Sykes MBE says this move would mean young people will have their travel options restricted and end up harming UK businesses in the process. The RDG stopped the scheme because they say it was confusing to offer it alongside the BritRail pass.

Although people from other countries will be able to use the Eurostar to get to London, they will be discouraged from exploring outside the City and not provide tourism and spending to the rest of the UK, especially the north.  This makes it complicated for tourists abroad but also difficult for UK citizens wanting to explore Europe, some may even have to fly.

Councillor Sykes MBE commented:

“These tickets are popular among teenagers and gap year students in Oldham Borough who wish to explore a bit more of the world.  This is a small-minded limitation on those who have less money to spend, this silly move by the British Rail Delivery Group is limiting youth opportunity.  There may also be other consequences for those in the UK if people from Britain end up excluded from the Interrail tickets on mainland Europe.”

“The big irony is, that the changes will make it more confusing and inaccessible.  Many people have been Interrailing in mainland Europe I fear this is the start of the end of that very cost-effective experience for our citizens and especially the young or those on limited budgets.”

“The Interrail pass allows holders to travel on almost all trains within Europe to explore the continent.  But from 1 January 2020, they will no longer cover the UK.  The fear is that UK citizens will then be excluded from this scheme as another consequence.”

For real time information: https://oldham.roadworks.org/

Statement – posted as received

I am pleased to confirm that the planning issues relating to Hodge Clough Road and Knowls Lane have been considered and that the planning decisions are lawful and in accordance with planning legislation.

In addition, the staffing issue you raised is unrelated and I am therefore unable to comment further. 

Helen Lockwood – Deputy Chief Executive – Oldham Council

For real time information: https://oldham.roadworks.org/

The Liberal Democrats have won the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election in Wales.

This follows a petition to remove the Conservative MP who was found guilty of about the wrongful claiming of expenses. Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Oldham Borough has welcomed the fantastic result this morning:

“I was in Brecon and Radnorshire myself earlier this week to help Jane Dodd’s campaign.  This proves the Liberal Democrats can take on Labour and the Conservatives nationally.  This stinging result leaves the Conservative Party with a Commons majority of just one, the first failure of Boris Johnson’s new Government.”

“This makes things incredibly hard for the Conservatives, and it is the Liberal Democrats that are holding the Government to account, not the Labour Party, who did terribly last night.”

The result means the Liberal Democrats now have 13 MPs.  A figure slowly rising, one that will grow at the next General Election.

Jane Dodds MP overturned an 8,038 majority to beat the incumbent Conservative by 1,425 votes!

The Conservative candidate Mr Davies stood again after being unseated by a recall petition following a false expense claim.