Rochdale, Greater Manchester – Commuters faced significant disruption and frustration this morning after Rochdale railway station was temporarily closed due to staff shortages. The station, a key transport hub for the town, was locked when passengers arrived for early morning services, leaving many waiting for over an hour. The closure affected multiple routes, including services between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale, as well as connections to Blackburn and Leeds. In response to the incident, Paul Waugh, the Labour Co-operative MP for Rochdale, has written to the Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Northern Rail demanding an explanation and assurances that such an event will not happen again. In a letter sent on Tuesday, 17th February 2026, Mr. Waugh expressed his concern regarding the lack of contingency planning during peak commuter hours. "While I appreciate that illness is unavoidable, a complete station closure during peak commuter hours is deeply con...