A NORTH-East MP is hoping to highlight fears about the impact of the Northern Rail and TransPennine Express refranchising exercise in Parliament.

Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham has submitted an early day motion raising concerns that the changes will lead to fare increases, timetable cuts and the loss of hundreds of jobs.

So far 48 MPs have backed the motion, including North West Durham's Pat Glass, Grahame Morris from Easington and York MP Hugh Bayley.

Mr Cunningham said the new franchises should provide an opportunity for direct investment in the routes and to unlock the potential of the entire region.

"Instead, we’re faced with the prospect of fare rises, service and timetable cuts and the loss of hundreds of essential rail jobs," he added.

Mr Cunningham said the consultation documents for the new franchises contained no clear indicators of real investment in the North-East.

"Increased passenger numbers and lack of investment have increased pressures on ageing rolling stock and resulted in overcrowding – the current plans will take us further down this track.

"We hope to see more people sign the EDM as the next few weeks go by. The more people sign it the more it shows there are many MPs concerned about poor investment in rail here in the North of England.

"Until we get the message out to the people who make the decisions we will be left to get on with it ourselves."

The Labour MP said the the two franchises covered a population of 15 million, and were vital for inter-city connectivity and economic development.

The Department for Transport said it had embarked on a £1 billion programme of improvements to the railway network in the North, including improvements to many stations across the region.

Officials said as part of the refranchising of the Northern service, bidders were being asked to submit plans for the replacement of the aged Pacer trains.

The Northern Echo this week launched The Right Lines campaign to push for the best possible outcome from the refranchising of the two services.

It is feared the changes will result in costcutting, when business and council leaders in the region have called for an increase in investment to boost growth.