ARRIVA was a step closer to taking over a popular parkand- ride service last night after council officials backed the firm’s bid for the flagship contract.

Papers released ahead of next week’s Durham County Council cabinet meeting reveal officers are urging Arriva be awarded a five-year deal to run the Durham City parkand- ride from October.

If councillors follow the advice, they would further provoke the many passengers who reacted with fury when Arriva was named “preferred bidder” ahead of Scarlet Band, an independent firm from West Cornforth which has run the service since it opened in 2005, in March.

They could also face legal action, with Go North East having threatened the move if the authority refused to reopen the bidding process.

Last night, Graeme Torrance, owner of Scarlet Band, said: “I’m disappointed that the outcry against this decision hasn’t been considered by the council, disappointed they’re considering a bid which was more expensive than ours and disappointed they’ve dismissed the excellent service we’ve provided.”

Jonathan May, managing director of Arriva North East, said: “We are pleased with the recommendation to cabinet to approve the park-and-ride tender win to Arriva North East, however, we are conscious that the decision still rests with the full cabinet next week and look forward to its outcome.”

Go North East did not respond to The Northern Echo’s requests for comment.

If the decision is taken at the cabinet meeting, to be held in Consett Civic Centre on Wednesday, it could bring to a close a complex and controversial bidding process.

Arriva topped a scoring process which considered price and quality, although Scarlet Band’s offer was cheaper.

Go North East says its bid offers quality and value for money.

However, in light of public anger over Arriva being named preferred bidder, Durham County Council launched a review of its tendering procedure.

Adrian White, the council’s head of transport, said that following the review, its legal services were satisfied a “correct and proper” process had been followed.

The cabinet will also consider a report aimed at improving councillor involvement in the process.

But the process could still be delayed further if any bidder seeks an injunction preventing the council awarding the contract.

Alternatively, defeated firms could later seek damages for lost earnings.