THE recent announcement that rail fares are to increase is a ‘kick in the teeth’ for commuters, Northwich’s MP has said.

Commuters are to be hit with a fare hike of 3.6 per cent next January, which could potentially add hundreds of pounds to the cost of season tickets for Weaver Vale residents.

The increase would see commuters from Runcorn to London Euston paying more than £300 a year more.

Commuters from Northwich to Manchester Piccadilly are being asked to fork out an extra £85.

Mr Amesbury said: “We’ve been making real progress with rail travel in Weaver Vale with the announcement that the Halton Curve rail line is due to reopen next year, but now commuters hear this news.

“Cost of living is going up, wages are stagnant, and this is yet another punishing financial cost that Weaver Vale residents are being asked to bear. It’s a kick in the teeth for local residents.”

The RMT union recently unveiled figures that showed rail fares have risen by around 32 per cent in eight years, while average weekly earnings have grown by only 16 per cent.

According to passenger watchdog Transport Focus, fewer than half (47 per cent) of passengers are satisfied with the value for money of train tickets.

The news is the latest in a series of blows to rail commuters.

Chris Grayling, announced in July that plans to electrify lines in Wales, the Midlands and the North have been cancelled or downgraded, with Labour warning at the time this would lengthen journey times, increase carbon emissions and raise the cost of running the network.

Mr Amesbury said the increase is a further indication that the time is right to renationalise the railways.

The Northwich MP said: “When I was on the campaign trail there was huge support for Labour’s plan to renationalise our railways, and this is just another reminder of why.

“It should be run as a public service, and not to make more and more money from people who are already under huge financial pressure.”