SLOW trains across the North were criticised by a Government minister – who promised improvements.

Greg Clark, the minister responsible for devolution, attacked the time it takes for passengers to cross the Pennines on trains run by the TransPennine Express franchise.

He said: “I think the name TransPennine Express breaches the trade descriptions act – and we ought to do something about that.

“We need to ensure we have the speed to bring our great Northern cities together, in terms of their economies and their culture, so they can be equivalent of tube stops in London.”

However, Mr Clark insisted it was “within our grasp” to bring the Northern cities together with faster connections, to provide a “rivalry and complement to London”.

The Middlesbrough-born minister, speaking at a fringe meeting at the Tory conference, did not reveal any details of plans to improve cross-Pennine trains.

The specifications for both the TransPennine Express and Northern Rail franchises are due in December, ahead of new operators from 2016.

The Northern Echo has joined forces with business leaders, council chiefs and MPs to urge the Government to end decades of underinvestment in rail in the region.

The Right Lines campaign calls on ministers to ensure the new Northern Rail and TransPennine operators deliver improvements, including more trains.