It is disappointing news for those who regularly travel by train to hear that there is, as yet, no timetable for the replacement programme for the tired old rolling stock that is used on our local lines.

Given that it was only in December that Chancellor George Osborne, when talking about plans for the cross-Pennine "Northern Powerhouse" project, insisted that there was definitely going to be a scheme to replace "the ancient and unpopular Pacer carriages with new and modern trains", commuters especially will be wondering when this is going to happen.

It's all very well making big announcements of this kind, but there must be concrete plans to back them up if they are not to be mere political hot air.

There is no doubt that the old Pacer trains will eventually be replaced with modern stock, but rail users deserve to be told when this is going to happen.

We are constantly told that public transport is vital so that we can get more people out of their cars and ease up on our congested roads and the environmental damage that huge numbers of cars can contribute to.

But people are only going to be won over to that argument if the infrastructure is there to cope with them - and that means clean and safe trains, plenty of seating, regular services and a reliable timetable.

People are naturally sceptical about leaving their cars at home because of the flexibility and freedom having your own transport offers. To coax them on to public transport will require a much firmer timetable for the promised new world of brighter, cleaner and more efficient trains.