RIBBLE Valley residents are having to change jobs because of the current recent rail chaos their MP has claimed.

Conservative backbencher Nigel Evans met with Dave Brown, managing director of train operator Northern, on Wednesday to discuss the crisis.

He has asked transport secretary Chris Grayling to visit the Clitheroe to Manchester line via Blackburn to see for himself problems on the hard-hit route.

Mr Evans said: "While I fully support the plans to upgrade Northern rail capacity, several of my constituents have had to find alternative employment due to the poor service on the line, a situation which is absolutely absurd and obviously cannot continue.

"I have called on Mr Grayling to visit the line, to ensure rural lines do not pay the price for developments elsewhere. I was reassured by Dave Brown’s approach, but the proof is always in the pudding.”

Blackburn Labour MP Kate Hollern, who met Mr Grayling on Wednesday, said: The chaos travellers were subjected to this week was completely unacceptable and cannot be allowed to happen again."

Mrs Hollern added: "The need for a unified and nationally owned rail system in this country has never been more apparent."

Mr Evans said: "While Northern services are facing problems across the whole network, the Clitheroe to Manchester line has been particularly affected. I am fully supportive of plans to implement measures to compensate passengers, but this isn’t going far enough.

"It has been clear even before this recent fiasco that rail capacity and service in the north needs a serious rethink – I hope recent events push the case for improvements”.