Transport Secretary apologies for problems over Northern Trains

Chris Grayling has apologised for problems suffered by passengers on Merseyside following an overhaul of rail timetables while also criticising "failings'' by Network Rail.

The Transport Secretary said it was "not good enough'' for people to face disruptions, adding in the Commons: "I'm sorry this was the case.''

He said the Department for Transport and others are working hard to sort the problem, but insisted it was a "major teething problem'' in what will be a "step forward for the railways''.

Mr Grayling also reserved criticism for Network Rail, the state-owned company responsible for Britain's rail infrastructure, as he claimed they left the rest of the industry "struggling to catch up'' after it was "far too late'' in finalising planned timetable changes."

He said he had informed Network Rail bosses that this cannot happen again.

Delays to Network Rail infrastructure projects, including electrification work between Manchester and Preston, have contributed to the majority of train journeys in Britain only being confirmed six weeks beforehand rather than the usual 12.

Passengers have also suffered as services have been cancelled by Northern and since the rescheduling of departure times on Sunday.

Speaking in the Commons as MPs debated concerns over his handling of the East Coast franchise, Mr Grayling said: "What we've seen in the last few days hasn't been good enough."

"No-one should underestimate the logistical challenge of introducing a timetable change."

"These changes were made for very good reason - they'll mean a big expansion of services across the country."

"A timetable change on this scale involves reorganising staff rotas, it involves training for new routes, it involves reorganising how you deploy your trains."

"It needed months of preparation and I'm afraid a number of things have gone wrong but most particularly - for the second time in six months - Network Rail was far too late in finalising the planned timetable changes and they have left the rest of the industry struggling to catch up."

"I'm not happy with it at all and I've told the leadership of Network Rail this cannot happen again.''

Mr Grayling went on: "It's perhaps an uncomfortable truth for Labour, who keep talking about current problems as an excuse for nationalisation, that the problems that have arisen in the last few days have - to a significant extent - arisen as a result of failings in the nationalised part of the rail industry."

"I know many passengers have had disrupted journeys, it's not good enough, I'm sorry this was the case, everyone in my department and elsewhere is working hard to get this problem sorted out."

"But they have been a major teething problem in what will be a step forward for the railways."

"Even with unwanted cancellations at the start of this week, there are far more services running than last week before the timetable change happened."

"I know there are some people who have experienced change they're not happy with - you can't deliver everything for everyone but this is going to mean better journeys for thousands of people up and down the country"'