Northern Rail “blames God” for cancellations

DEPARTMENT of Transport figures show train operator Northern Rail blamed “Acts of God” for 2,179 of the 12,884 services it cancelled last year.

But Liberal Democrats in Blaydon constituency have expressed concern at the high number of cancelled services and the excuses used.

More than 100,000 rail services were cancelled in total across the UK in 2005. According to the figures provided by train operators to the Department of Transport, cancellations were caused by strikes, breakdowns, staff shortages and “Acts of God.”

Most “Acts of God” were weather related but Northern Rail topped the list of companies blaming the Almighty for cancelled services.

“This is a case of letting the train take the strain, and when the train is cancelled, letting God take the blame,” said Dr Jonathan Wallace, a Liberal Democrat Councillor for Whickham in Blaydon constituency.

“Some say God moves in mysterious ways. Some trains however, don’t move at all.

“I’m not sure Acts of God are a reasonable excuse but it is time the rail industry and the government got their act together to ensure services are more reliable.”