LOCAL rail passengers have welcomed plan to give more power on transport issues to the region.
They hailed discussions between the Department for Transport and West Yorkshire Metro to create a Northern Rail Executive.
This will, transfer powers to fund and control rail services and investment in northern rail services.
Peter Marshall, chairman of the Huddersfield, Penistone and Sheffield Rail Users Association said: “Devolvement of powers in Scotland has been a great success.
“With a proposal to join Transpennine and Northern Rail services, this step would bring great benefits to rail travellers in the area.
“Local decision making on rolling stock, infrastructure and services must bring about much needed improvements”.
But he warned: “Any such move cannot be seen as a cost-cutting exercise.
“The north has been short changed in the past – we need fairer funding for our railways.”
