THE utter chaos that is Northern Rail’s emergency timetable, after the confusion delivered by its totally shambolic new timetable, ought to be the nail in the coffin of its franchise.

It should illuminate the “exit this way” sign for the franchising system introduced by John Major’s Tory government over two decades ago and for Transport Secretary Chris “Failing” Grayling.

He has presided over the timetable fiasco affecting GTR Southern and Northern, approving the privateers’ plans publicised just a fortnight before they went live.