MP Alex Sobel has welcomed the impending nationalisation of the Northern rail franchise.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps was expected to confirm this week that the franchise will be removed from the control of Arriva and effectively renationalised. Mr Sobel (Lab, Leeds North West) held several meetings with Northern in 2018 to discuss recurring concerns from constituents.

He said: “Northern has failed Leeds residents and I am pleased the Government, who have resisted taking this common-sense action for so long, are finally taking the franchise back into public control.”

The MP had called last summer for the franchise to be nationalised.