A UNION says it is "shocked and appalled" that new Intercity Express trains being built in the region will not feature buffet cars.

Transport union RMT claims trains due to be assembled by a Hitachi Rail Europe at its purpose-built factory in Newton Aycliffe will only offer a trolley service to standard class customers.

The new Hitachi Super Express trains will replace rolling stock on the East Coast Main Line and Great Western Main Line.

The first trains are due to start rolling into service from 2017.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT is shocked and appalled at the plans to try and smuggle in the axing of the buffet cars under the cloak of the new Intercity fleet replacement programme.

“The union has warned from the off that both catering and the guards would be in the firing line from the introduction of these new trains and those fears have proved well-founded thanks to the diligence of RMT representatives who have uncovered this plan to axe the buffet cars."

The union said it was planning a campaign to save the buffet service and the jobs of catering staff who worked in the cars.

“Passengers, paying massive fares, will be disgusted at this attack on the standard of service and the union will be taking our campaign out to those customers and to the politicians along the length of the lines affected," Mr Cash said.

Hitachi said the specification of the trains being built at Newton Aycliffe was an issue for the Department for Transport.

As well as producing the long-distance intercity trains, it was announced earlier this month that Hitachi would supply 70 engines and 234 carriages to operator Abellio for use in Scotland from its £82m Newton Aycliffe factory.

The plant will support 730 skilled jobs when fully operational.

Elsewhere on the rail network, 50 MPs have now signed an early day motion launched by Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham highlighting concerns that the Northern Rail and TransPennine Express rail refranchising exercise will lead to service and job cuts.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Railways are a crucial part of our long-term economic plan. The Intercity Express Programme (IEP) will transform services on two major rail lines, creating thousands of jobs both at Hitachi's Newton Aycliffe facility and across the manufacture and supply chain.

"The safety and comfort of both passengers and staff has been a top priority in the design of these trains and passengers and staff have been closely involved in the design process.

"Fixed kitchens as well as trolley facilities are included in the base design of the IEP train and there is scope to introduce buffet facilities if the new franchisee wants to offer this facility to its passengers.”