A RAIL passenger watchdog has criticised proposals to close thousands of miles of rural branch lines because they are under used.

The North-East Rail Passengers Committee said services should be enhanced with greater investment rather than face the axe.

A report out this week by leading business group the Institute of Directors claims that more than 3,000 miles of line should go because they are under-used and a drain on the network.

The report says public subsidies should be concentrated on overcrowded commuter and inter-city routes.

Ernie Preston, secretary of the North-East RPC, said they were encouraging debate over the issue of under-used lines.

But he said: "We know that enhancing services often causes people to change their mode of transport.

"That is why we should not be looking at closing under-utilised lines, but putting more trains on them, running more frequently, so more people can use them."

Mr Preston identified a number of lines in the region where trains were not running at full capacity.

These included Newcastle to Carlisle, Middlesbrough to Sunderland, and the Esk Valley line in North Yorkshire.

He said: "Some lines may not be used to maximum effect, but to take them away would have a devastating impact on people.

"It is amazing how many people living in rural areas don't have access to a car and don't even see a bus pass through their village.