Northern to increase trains on Harrogate line

Train operator Northern is introducing new timetables with more trains from Sunday May 16.

Northern has been running a reduced service since the current lockdown began in January but the new timetable will return services to similar levels to before the pandemic.

It means the Harrogate line will have more trains during peak hours, and services will start earlier and end later on some days.

Throughout most days there will continue to be a roughly half-hourly service between Harrogate and Leeds, and an hourly service between Harrogate and York.

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Some of the changes include:

Northern do not expect any overcrowding, although a spokesperson said:

“It’s very difficult to say. There is no official capacity limit, however we are very conscious that people may well be concerned so we’re asking people to tailor their journeys to try and travel outside of the busiest times.”

 

Train staff in Harrogate to wear body cameras

Rail operator Northern is introducing body cameras for staff to prevent crime on trains and at stations.

The company, which serves Harrogate station, is introducing more than 350 cameras for staff across the north of England.

It says the cameras will provide ‘enhanced protection’ for staff dealing with threatening behaviour.

They will not record all the time but the footage could be used as evidence in criminal cases and could be the deciding factor in securing court convictions.

Northern said in a statement that studies showed body-worn cameras reduced crime.

A freedom of information request recently submitted by the Stray Ferret revealed that since 2018 there were 22 reports of verbal or physical abuse against Northern staff on one of the Harrogate lines.

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British Transport Police chief inspector Lorna McEwan said:

“A trial using body-worn video cameras showed a significant reduction in assaults against rail staff.

“This is really positive step by Northern. As well as reducing incidents of assault on rail staff by helping to diffuse situations, body worn cameras also reassure the public as they travel through stations and on trains.”

‘Customer service is key’ to improving disability access on Harrogate trains

This week Northern pledged to spend £250,000 on improving disabled access on its railways. The Stray Ferret asked one wheelchair user from the district what he thought of the service.

The train operator is asking charities, local authorities and community groups to bid for accessibility improvements to stations in their area.

Andrew Newton from Sharow uses a powered wheelchair after being diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis 12 years ago.

Before the pandemic he took trains from Harrogate station once or twice a week.

Mr Newton said customer service was key to improving his journey as he relies on the staff to help him on and off the train.

He said the staff at Harrogate station were “fabulous” and helped him as much as they could but more training could be done with newer staff.

Mr Newton’s experience, he said, could be vastly different depending on customer service:

“Customer service can help cover building inadequacies if there is someone dedicated to helping me it helps my overall experience.”

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He also said the disabled toilets at Harrogate train station needed improving. Currently the size of the cubicle does not allow him to fully turn round meaning the interior door of the cubicle has to be left open.

Mr Newton was keen to say that customer service is “key” and encouraged the train operator to consult with people with disabilities to fix any issues.

Northern’s Accessibility Fund is a first for the UK rail industry. It will be led by the independent Northern Accessibility User Group (NAUG) and supported by Northern.

For bids to be considered, the proposed project or scheme must be scheduled for completion between April 5 2021 and September 30 2022.

Harrogate district trains and buses to run reduced timetable

Trains and buses in the Harrogate district are operating reduced timetables during the third national lockdown.

Northern announced yesterday it will begin its new timetable on Monday, with the company warning there will be fewer trains.

From Monday there will be 30 daily departures from Harrogate to Leeds on Monday to Friday, compared to 38 before the new timetable.

Tricia Williams, the chief operating officer at Northern, said:

“We will focus on delivering services during the morning and evening peaks so those who need to travel can get to where they’re needed and have the space to maintain social distancing.”

“We’re therefore calling on people to check carefully before they travel and behave responsibly on our trains.”

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The Harrogate Bus Company started its new timetable on Sunday and said it will run eight out of 10 journeys. The following applies:

(The 1) Harrogate to Knaresborough:

(2A) Harrogate to Bilton and Dene Park:

(2B) Harrogate to Bilton and The Knox:

(3) Harrogate to Jennyfield:

(6/X6) Harrogate to Pannal Ash:

(7) Harrogate to Wetherby and Leeds:

(36) Ripon to Harrogate and Leeds:

The Harrogate Bus Company’s chief executive Alex Hornby said:

“Our message to our customers is that we are still very much here for you – our buses are clean, safe and ready to go, just as they have always been throughout the pandemic.

“We know from experience that our buses provide a vital service for key workers and others who depend on us to reach essential shops and services.”