MP slams rail chiefs after commuters find station closed

'Staff shortages' blamed for peak hours chaos

- BY ASHLIE BLAKEY

AN MP has hit out at railway bosses after commuters were left waiting outside Rochdale train station as it failed to open amid 'staff shortages'.

No trains were running to or from Rochdale on Tuesday morning when the station was first due to open.

Passengers arrived to find the gate locked with the station closed off.

National Rail said this was 'due to a shortage of station staff.

One commuter posted a picture of the closed gates at the station and wrote: “Is there a strike on? We're all waiting to catch our train.”

Disruption was ongoing until just before 8am, National Rail added.

Paul Waugh, Labour MP for the town, has now written a letter to bosses at Northern, which runs the station, demanding an explanation.