Boxing Day railway shutdown not our responsibility, Government says

It's a “matter for train operators” and not ministers, the Department for Transport says

Trains services across the country will be paralysed or scaled back (PA)

The widespread Boxing Day disruption on the railways is not the Government's responsibility, the Department for Transport has said.

Large parts of the country will be without a rail service, while those operators that do provide a service will only provide limited trains.

But ahead of the nationwide disruption a Department for Transport spokesperson said the shutdown was a “matter for train operators” and not ministers.

Labour accused the Conservatives of “hypocrisy”, saying they complained about the issue while in opposition, but have done nothing to rectify it after getting into Government.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Deciding the level of service on specific days is a matter for train operators.

“But we know some passengers want to travel on Boxing Day, and that's why we have worked with the rail industry to ensure there are limited services on some franchises on that day, and that the scope for Boxing Day services is considered when we are planning future franchises.

"Network Rail and train companies have ensured that a large part of the railway will remain open over the Christmas/New Year period and alternative routes are provided where the lines are closed for essential engineering work, and that these are communicated properly to the public."

The railways were privatised under Conservative rule, giving companies the decision on train levels in different franchise areas.

However, the Government sets the franchising framework and regulates the overall system.

Labour’s shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald said the Conservatives have had six years to sort out the recurring issue.

“Tory ministers' handling of the Boxing Day rail standstill is making it much harder for families and friends to visit one another this Christmas break,” Mr McDonald said.

“In opposition the Tories attacked the Boxing Day rail shutdown. They've now had more than six years to do something about it but haven't.

“Their lack of action, even despite the chaos of previous years, gives the impression they don't really care about it at all. The Tory hypocrisy on this issue is astounding.”

Rail operators which are not running services on Boxing Day include Arriva Trains Wales, c2C, CrossCountry, East Midlands, Grand Central, Great Northern, Great Western, London Midland, Northern Rail, South West, Thameslink, TransPennine Express and Virgin