A NORTH-EAST transport chief is threatening to take legal action against the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) for failing to consult on the latest train service to end in the region.

Andy Hyams, head of transport for the Tees Valley Partnership, spoke out after it was announced that the Newcastle to Saltburn service will be cut from 18 to four a day from next month. A further one will be cut by the autumn.

Instead of direct trains, passengers will have to get off at Darlington and change on to East Coast mainline trains, which are often packed and have a poor time-keeping record.

Services from Hartlepool to Tyneside along the County Durham coast were halved last year. The Whitby to Middlesbrough Sunday winter service was also stopped.

Teesside MPs, including Dari Taylor, Ashok Kumar and Vera Baird, secured a promise from Transport Minister Kim Howells to investigate the planned cutbacks.

Nearly 5,000 people signed a petition against the plans.

Mr Hyams said: "Again we have found out about this through the back door. We have grave concerns that the SRA is not following consultation procedures.

"I am currently seeking legal advice to see if we can challenge the SRA's decision."

A spokesman for the SRA said that any cutbacks were to free space on the East Coast mainline to improve times for express trains.

He said: "We always follow the statutory consultation procedures, which cover changes to certain services."

He could not offer any explanation for the latest cutback, and the lack of consultation.