A major transport summit in Liverpool has been hit by dozens of cancelled trains and the absence of the Transport Secretary.
Hundreds of influential figures are making their way to the city today for the Northern Transport Summit, which is being held at the Maritime Museum at the Royal Albert Dock. The theme of the conference is "levelling up transport."
And those attempting to make their way to the summit today are experiencing first hand why dramatic improvements are needed when it comes to the north's rail network.
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Labour's shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh shared screengrabs of timetables on Twitter, showing that over 40 services to and from Liverpool had already been cancelled today.
Tweeting last night, she said: "Tomorrow, Liverpool will host a major transport summit. And this is the state of the broken rail network. The TransPennine Express fiasco is holding the north back, and ministers have sat back and allowed it to happen."
Operator TransPennine Express (TPE) has come under repeated criticism in recent months for regularly cancelling large numbers of train services around the north of the country. Figures obtained by The Guardian showed that, during last year's October half-term holiday, TPE cancelled 30% of all trains, and at least 20% each subsequent week until 20 November last year.
Ms Haigh, who will close the summit later today, also bemoaned the fact that Mark Harper, the Transport Secretary, pulled out of a scheduled appearance at the conference in Liverpool today.
She added: "And now the Secretary of State has cancelled his own appearance too. God forbid he might have to use the northern rail network he is responsible for."
While Mr Harper will not be in attendance at the Northern Transport Summit in Liverpool a number of key figures will be. Ms Haigh will be joined by Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Wirral South MP and shadow minister Alison McGovern and Lord Patrick McLoughlin, the chair of Transport for the North.
Rail minister Huw Merriman is also speaking at the conference.
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