WE share Stephen Byers's desire for improved safety, punctuality and comfort on our railways.

They were, we recall, the empty promises made at the time of privatisation.

We accept that Mr Byers and his Government bear no responsibility for the flawed way in which privatisation was introduced and the current pitiful overall standards of our train services.

But after four years in office and a further four years to go, Mr Byers and his Government will certainly bear full responsibility for the state of our railways when the next general election comes round.

No longer will they be able to lay the blame at the door of John Major's administration.

Privatisation has failed because the railways were split between many companies and there was insufficient strategic planning and investment to deliver the necessary improvements.

Labour's plan to give the rail operators long-term franchises appeared to be a sensible remedy. It would have attracted investment to match the calls for improvements.

To scrap the plan for 20-year franchises is an act of folly on Mr Byers's part.

Without the security of a long-term franchise, what incentive can companies have to deliver the better safety, punctuality and comfort Mr Byers and all passengers want to see?

By relying on short-term franchises of just two years, Mr Byers will starve our railways of the resources they need to bring them into the 21st Century.

The railways have been deprived of sufficient investment for decades. Those ills will not be cured overnight.

Despite what Mr Byers may think, there are no quick-fix solutions.

We sincerely hope the East Coast main line does not become a victim of short-termism.

The service is a vital component of the North-East's infrastructure. To deprive it of investment for any period longer than necessary will harm the economic prospects of the region.

After letting GNER and Virgin endure 18 months of bidding for the franchise, it would be unfair to deny one of them the prize of a 20-year licence.

And it would be unfair to prevent the region from enjoying the benefits of the sustained period of investment our railways.