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Northern: Repairs and Maintenance

Asked by Richard FullerConservativeDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 4 June 2026UIN 3239

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress Northern has made on upgrading train sanding systems to improve braking performance since 17 December 2025; how many older units have been fitted with variable-rate sanding equipment to date; and whether the project remains on track for completion by autumn 2028.

Answered by Keir Mather

Sanding systems installed per month since December 2025 are as follows:

December: 23

Jan: 0

Feb 0

March: 3

April: 0

Since 1 March 2020, 32 older Northern units have been fitted with variable rate sanding systems.

The sanding improvement programme continues to progress and remains on track for completion by autumn 2028.

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