One of Norfolk's busiest train lines has been slammed in the House of Lords after it was revealed you can fly to Egypt quicker than getting a train to Liverpool.
Many travellers to and from Norwich are aware of the notorious East Midlands Railway service that runs from Norwich to Liverpool Lime Street.
The two-carriage trains take five and a half hours, stopping in Wymondham and Thetford on their journey through Norfolk.
Troubled services such as the East Midlands one have left rail staff hiding from the travelling public because they are so “ashamed” of some of the services being offered.
Parliament heard that seasoned train managers were “absolutely terrified” of going to work because they did not know if they would have properly functioning equipment - leaving them to face abuse from angry passengers.
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The poor performance of train services and problems on the network were highlighted during a transport debate in the Lords.
Independent crossbencher and former BBC boss Lord Birt, who served as a strategy adviser to Tony Blair argued the UK’s transport system “is not remotely fit for purpose”.
He said: “The train from Liverpool to Norwich, passing through and stopping at some of our great cities – Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham and Peterborough – takes five and a half hours.
“If, rather than take the train from Liverpool to Norwich, you decided instead to fly from Liverpool to Sharm el-Sheikh, you would reach Sharm el-Sheikh more quickly than you would Norwich.”
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“As in so many areas of our national life, we are now operating in slow motion as a country.
"We need to get a grip. We need massively to raise our game.
Responding, transport minister Lord Davies of Gower said: “The department has been clear that the current performance of the railway is unacceptable.
"The industry needs to make significant improvements to deliver the punctual and reliable services that passengers and taxpayers deserve.
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