Concern Darlington and Bishop Auckland rail services could be reduced

Rail operator Northern has reportedly considered proposals to cut the frequency of services between Darlington and Bishop Auckland, the Sunday Times said, as part of cost-cutting measures.

Northern operates around 15 services between the two towns on weekdays, with return tickets starting at £5. The route, popular with commuters, also stops at Heighington, Newton Aycliffe and Shildon.

But regional leaders have said reducing the hourly service would undermine investment and the government’s ambition of levelling up the region.

Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: “These proposals requested by the Department for Transport (DfT) do not serve the North’s best interests.

“Our local trains are often already too infrequent compared to the South East, with over half Northern Rail routes only hourly, and there simply aren’t enough seats on the busiest sections of the longer distance routes.

“We need to be improving connectivity between the Tees Valley and County Durham, and better connecting these areas to the rest of the North - otherwise these cost savings will end up undermining investment and economic progress, as it will be it harder for businesses to attract and retain talent.”

Darlington Railway Station (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The government would not comment on the future of the Darlington to Bishop Auckland route but said Transport Secretary Mark Harper is due to announce new investment as part of a new vision for the railway system next week.

Northern has ruled out reducing services when new timetables are drawn up in May but said any decision is made in partnership with the government.

Kerry Peters, regional director for Northern, said: “We have no plans to reduce services on the Darlington to Bishop Auckland route at the next timetable change in May. Future service levels are subject to discussions with Rail North Partnership and Department for Transport.”

TransPennine Express, which also serves Darlington and Durham, has reportedly considered reducing the size of its trains to the North East from six carriages to three.

A DfT spokeswoman said: “We do not comment on speculation. The Government remains committed to investing £96bn to overhaul and modernise rail connections across the north and Midlands as set out in the Integrated Rail Plan.”

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It comes as Labour has warned there are just “10 days to act” to avoid bus services being slashed across England.

The Government’s current funding deal to keep services running despite the fall in demand sparked by the coronavirus pandemic expires at the end of March. But operators planning to cancel or change routes are required to give six weeks of notice, meaning they are keen for a new agreement to be secured by February 17.

Analysis, based on figures from the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), show more than 1,600 routes could be cut this spring, leaving England with fewer than 10,000 routes for the first time since records began in 2002.