A TRANSPORT union has pledged to ratchet up its campaign against a "bogus" consultation on the future of rail services in the region.

RMT has announced a series of protests against changes to the Northern and TransPennine services it claims will cut staff, increase fares and reduce safety.

Protesters will gather at Grey's Monument, in Newcastle city centre, between 11am and 2.30pm on Thursday (July 31) before making their way to Newcastle Central station at 3.30pm to hand out leaflets while a Department for Transport drop-in event on the consultation is held nearby.

Further protests will take place across the North of England ahead of the consultation finishing on August 18.

RMT claims the consultation is flawed and could lead to reduced ticket office opening hours, trains running without a conductor, cuts to back room staff and increased fares.

The union also believes that community rail services could replace commercial operations, particularly in the North-East.

RMT acting general secretary Mick Cash said: "As the bogus and rushed Government consultation on the Northern and TransPennine franchise carve-up draws to a close, RMT continues to pull in massive public support for our campaign to stop the plans and we will be ratcheting up our activities in the next few weeks.

“Let’s not forget that the core of these plans is to axe jobs, throw the guards off the trains and jack up fares while capacity to meet surging rail demand in the area is left to stagnate.

"RMT is stepping up the fight to both inform the public and fight the savage cuts being lined up for these Northern rail franchises."

In response, the Department for Transport said it was "utter nonsense" for the RMT to suggest that the Department for Transport would put passengers at risk or destroy services.

A spokeswoman added: "We are consulting with the public and our industry partners, including the rail unions, to ensure that the Northern and TransPennine Express franchises capitalise on the Government's massive programme of rail investment across the region which will deliver real benefits for passengers and taxpayers.”

The TransPennine Express franchise, currently operated by First TransPennine Express, runs from Manchester to Newcastle, via Leeds, York, Darlington and Durham.

The Northern franchise, operated by Northern Rail, connects Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Newcastle and other North-East locations.