(Image: PA)Earlier this month Mr Shapps announced that the Northern franchise was no longer financially sustainable. Mr Shapps has also warned South Western Railway could lose its franchise. Mr Shapps acknowledged: "Today's announcement will inevitably raise questions about the future of rail privatisiation. Between December 8 and January 4, just 51.4% of Northern Rail trains arrived on time - with at least a quarter running more than three minutes late. In his statement Mr Shapps spoke of a commitment to deal with overcrowding and cancellations - particularly on Sundays.

Source: Daily Mirror January 29, 2020 13:12 UTC