A NORTH-East MP has pressed the Government on commitments to deliver a direct rail link connecting Middlesbrough to London King’s Cross.

Labour MP for Redcar, Anna Turley, has written to the Department for Transport to quiz Ministers over the promises made by Virgin Trains, which now lie with LNER.

Rail Minister Jo Johnson told the MP that the service would go ahead, but only when there is “sufficient capacity”.

Ms Turley said: “Teesside is long overdue this infrastructure investment and Ministers must be doing all they can to make sure this is delivered by 2020 as planned. I will be keeping the pressure on when Parliament returns.”