MIKE Amesbury MP has written to the Transport Secretary calling for him to intervene after it was revealed his department’s failings have resulted in a delay to the Halton Curve project.

The long-awaited scheme had been on schedule and within budget and was due to open in December, providing a new hourly service in both directions between Liverpool and Chester.

But a lack of trains means the scheme could now be delayed until May, 2019.

The Weaver Vale MP has met with local transport chiefs and written to Chris Grayling urging him to take action and ensure the project was not further delayed.

He said: “The Combined Authority delivered the infrastructure on time, it held up its part of the bargain, but the Department for Transport have failed on rolling stock, it’s unacceptable.

“This is just the latest in a long list of failures by the department on Mr Grayling’s watch, from constant delays to the absolute turmoil caused by Northern Rail’s disastrous timetabling debacle.

“These delays are putting livelihoods on the line in my constituency and it is quite simply not good enough.”

Mr Amesbury also welcomed news that Arriva would not be running the news service, adding: “I am pleased the service has been taken away from Arriva and I will be pressing the new public interest franchise to bring the new services online before May.”