Liverpool Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram blasts rail operators for weather 'chaos'
A metro mayor has slammed rail operators for the "unnecessary chaos" on services after severe weather hit the region.
Steve Rotheram, Liverpool City Region Mayor, said he shared the anger of Merseyrail users following widespread disruption to services across the network, with delays and cancellations as the frost and ice took hold.
It comes just months after shareholders received £42 million in dividends.
In a video posted on social media Mr Rotheram announced that there would be an independent review into the problems.
He said: “While the poor weather conditions have caused problems to public transport all over the country, my concern is what happens in Liverpool city region. As a country we don’t do ‘bad weather’ well.
“This morning’s severe disruption to Merseyrail services due to cold weather is completely unacceptable. It’s not as if there were six-foot snow drifts.
“For thousands of people across our region – myself included – it’s meant delays getting to work, missed hospital appointments, and unnecessary chaos.
“As someone who regularly uses our public transport system to get around, I’ve seen first-hand the frustration that this kind of failure causes.
“People depend on these services every day, not just to get from A to B, but to keep their lives running smoothly. When the system fails, it’s more than an inconvenience.”
Mr Rotheram criticised Merseyrail and Network Rail, which is responsible for the upkeep of the track and signalling.
It was clear, he added, that the “robust winter plans” that were supposedly in place had failed.
“The fragmentation of the rail network often results in confusion around who is responsible for what bit of the system,” he said.
“That’s why today I have commissioned an independent and rapid review into this week’s disruption on the Merseyrail network.
“Let me be clear: this isn’t just about trains not running. It’s about the real-world impact on people’s lives – the stress, the missed opportunities, and the disruption it causes.
“And while freezing conditions might cause challenges, there’s no excuse for other aspects such as the poor communication passengers have experienced. They deserve clear, timely information, not to be left in the dark.”
Mr Rotheram is keen to take greater control of the network once the current franchise ends in 2028.
The findings of the review will be reported at next month’s Combined Authority meeting, in addition to which representatives from Network Rail, Merseyrail and train manufacturer Stadler will be asked to attend the next meeting of the Combined Authority's Transport Committee on 30 January.