Rail operator apologises for station lockout

A rail company has apologised to customers who arrived early in the morning to find a locked station.

Northern Trains said the station, which usually opens at 06:10 GMT, was opened at about 07:30 GMT after a staff member covering for a colleague arrived late due to a rota "complication".

A Northern Trains spokesman said: "We are sorry to customers who were unable to use Rochdale Station this morning."

Rochdale's Labour MP Paul Waugh has written to the company asking for a full explanation of what happened.

The spokesman said: "We are working hard to investigate how this came about and will add further robustness to our processes to ensure this does not happen again.

"We would encourage any customers impacted by this to get in touch.

"You may be entitled to a refund and those who were delayed by at least 15 minutes can claim compensation."

Waugh said the closure was "deeply concerning".

This is not the first time Northern Rail has had to apologise for Rochdale station opening late.

Staff illness in 2013 led to the station opening an hour late.

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