Liverpool Mayor Hires Expert to Revamp Rail Winter Plans

Welcome, Net Zero News readers!

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram has taken a proactive step to address the recent disruptions on the Merseyrail network by appointing Vernon Everitt, the esteemed Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, to conduct a thorough review of the rail industry’s winter weather planning. This decision comes after severe weather conditions caused major disruptions on January 9, affecting commuters and residents in the region.

Everitt will lead an independent and objective assessment of the Merseyrail network’s winter preparations and its response to the snow and freezing temperatures that led to extensive delays and cancellations. The review will also evaluate the broader winter planning processes within the industry and determine if lessons have been learned from past cold snaps.

This announcement coincides with a recent meeting where representatives from Merseyrail, Network Rail, and train manufacturer Stadler appeared before the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Transport Committee. They discussed the reasons behind the network’s shutdown on January 9 and outlined the ongoing efforts to improve winter preparedness.

Mayor Steve Rotheram expressed his concerns about the recent disruptions, stating, “The recent disruption on our rail network was completely unacceptable and had a significant impact on our residents who rely on trains to get to work, school, and important appointments. With the appointment of Vernon Everitt to lead this independent review, we’re taking a thorough, impartial look at how the rail industry plans for and responds to extreme weather.”

Rotheram emphasized the importance of ensuring clear communication from Merseyrail to passengers in the event of service disruptions and highlighted the need for a reliable transport system for the residents of the Liverpool City Region.

Vernon Everitt, with his extensive experience in the transport sector, including roles at Transport for London and Transport for Wales, will lead the review. The results of this assessment will be presented at the next transport committee meeting on Thursday, March 20th.

Image credit: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

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