COUNCILLORS have urged the Government to protect the interests of passengers and avoid cuts to rail franchises in the region.

A motion moved by Durham County Councillor Bob Glass at the authority’s recent full council meeting calls for proposals, which it says could mean the loss of hundreds of skilled rail jobs, to be withdrawn.

The motion was in support of a campaign by the RMT rail union which claims the Government is conducting a “carve up” of the Northern and TransPennine Express franchises.

County Cllr Glass, who represents Labour and is the husband of North West Durham Labour MP Pat Glass, said current proposals to redraw the franchises would have a negative impact and major passenger safety implications.

He called for meaningful consultations in order to deliver “properly funded, properly staffed and affordable railways” in the North.

Meanwhile, the RMT has accused the Government of “backsliding” over a pledge to replace unpopular and ageing Pacer trains used by Northern Rail.

Chancellor George Osborne’s Autumn Statement said that invitations to tender for the Northern and TransPennine rail franchises - which will be published early next year - would specify a “substantial package of upgrades including new services and modern trains in order to phase out the outdated Pacer trains”.

But the RMT said the Government in fact was only encouraging bidders to replace the Pacers.

The union, which is organising a public protest outside Newcastle Central Station next Thursday (December 18), said when it challenged transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin to offer a firm commitment on this, he failed to do so.

A spokesman said: “[Mr] Osborne’s well reported statements on replacing the lashed up and clapped out Pacer trains fail to stand up to close scrutiny.”