Cuts to train services from York to both Harrogate and Leeds have been criticised by the leader of the City of York council.
Keith Aspden has written to the transport minister to complain.
Northern Trains says “We’ve made decisions about our timetables based on the levels of resource we have available and prioritising the routes with the highest customer demand, and which support the region’s economic growth.”
Cllr Aspden told YorkMix Radio this is not what “Levelling Up” is all about and he wants the links restored.
Photo David Dunning
A small number of commuter trains, which have been popular in the past before Covid hit, will be withdrawn.
This affects the 0659 from Leeds to York and the 0847 return.
A through return service between Leeds, Harrogate and York in the mid evening is also being withdrawn after the half-hourly service finishes. This will leave a two hour gap for users of the line.
There are no trains from York to Poppleton, Hammerton, Cattal and Harrogate between 8 and 10pm in the latest timetable that starts in May.
There will also be cuts to services on the Whitby line too which offer a connection to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
Whitby will be left with just FOUR return trips a day during the summer season.
There will two return trips by rail replacement bus though. Northern is arguing that early and late trains see little use.
There will be additional capacity on the Settle to Carlisle route through the Yorkshire Dales in the summer.
The line from Scarborough to Hull will see a better service too.