PEOPLE power will hold the key to success for a historic railway line which faces a potential closure threat.

Control of the Darlington to Bishop Auckland branch line is to be handed over to a community rail partnership, which will give local people direct input to the running of the line.

Up to 20 local authorities, rail organisations and community groups have already pledged their support to the partnership.

They hope to secure the long-term future of the line by tailoring it to meet the needs of local people and increasing passenger numbers.

Michael Lamport, of the Association of Community Rail Partnerships, said similar moves elsewhere in the country were already working.

He said: "It is about giving local people a say in local railways - the more they use it, the better it will be, thus extending its life."

One of the top priorities for the partnership will be to liaise with train operators for an hourly service instead of every 90 minutes as it is at the moment.

A rolling programme of station improvements is already in the pipeline and residents will be encouraged to get involved in the day-to-day running of the branch line, and a range of projects, from artwork to youth activities.

Tourism will also be boosted by the scheme, with Darlington Railway Museum, Locomotion: The National Railway Museum, at Shildon, on the route, and The Weardale Railway announcing plans to link up with the line.

George Muirhead, manager of Locomotion, wants to see the line secured to transport exhibitions to the site and to cater for specially chartered trains and to see more visitors travelling by train.

Charlie Walton, head of planning services at Sedgefield Borough Council, said: "We all hope to reduce the need to travel by car for environmental reasons, manage the existing line better and work together for the benefit of all communities along its corridor."

Bob Hope, director of regeneration at Wear Valley District Council, said: "The line is underused at the moment, but it provides a link to the main national line that should not be undervalued.

"It is important for the sustainability of the whole area, in Wear Valley it is key to regeneration of Weardale including plans for a renewable energy centre at Eastgate."

Darlington Borough Council's development and environment director, John Buxton, said: "It is very important to promote the region's railway heritage, Darlington to Bishop Auckland is part of the historic 1825 line - the first passengers' steam railway line."

It is hoped that the shake-up will prove the line is viable before it faces the threat of closure, which some members fear if The Railways Bill, which is currently being debated in the House of Lords, makes it easier for uneconomical lines to be closed without public consultation.