TRANSPORT Minister Dr Kim Howells has promised to investigate controversial plans to axe train services between Cleveland and Tyneside.

The Strategic Rail Authority has put forward proposals to radically cut direct services between Saltburn, Middlesbrough and Newcastle.

More than 4,800 people have signed a petition protesting against the plans and local MPs have called for the idea to be scrapped.

Dr Ashok Kumar, Vera Baird and Dari Taylor handed the petition to Dr Howells at a meeting to discuss the threat to the future running of the direct rail service on Monday.

A spokesman for Dr Kumar's constituency office said: "It was explained to Dr Howells that cutting these services would be an absolute nonsense. No other area of the country would be treated this way.

"He said we had put a very robust argument forward and that he would be talking to Richard Bowker, head of the Strategic Rail Authority, about the proposals."

The delegation was joined by senior transport officer Andy Hyams, from the Tees Valley Joint Strategy Unit.

He said: "Figures show passenger numbers on the Saltburn to Newcastle route were up by 24 per cent last year, so the service is well used.

"At the moment there are six trains an hour on the main route between Darlington and Newcastle. What we have suggested is, if the Strategic Rail Authority wants to make changes, it could divert the trans-Pennine train from Darlington through Teesside and Sunderland. That would provide far better travel links for people living on the coast.

"We know that money is tight in the industry and we are not asking for more money or more trains. We are simply saying split the routes up better than they are now."

He added: "Although the final decision does not essentially lie with the minister, he did say we had put forward a good and compelling case."

* See business: page 18