A North East MP has criticised a Labour council over what he says are "delays" in approving a local bus investment plan.

Matt Vickers, MP for Stockton South, has slammed Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (SBC), claiming it failed to agree a plan for local bus services before an agreed deadline.

However, Councillor Bob Cook, leader of SBC, has hit back, stating he did confirm the council's support for the proposals in advance of last Friday's deadline and defending the council's reaction.

A £1.5 million investment using government funding is being proposed to increase the current bus service provision across the region.

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Mr Vickers said he was growing increasingly frustrated with the council's "lack of action" and that councillors appeared to be "asleep at the wheel."

He said: “It is increasingly frustrating to see Stockton Council’s Labour leaders' lack of action on vital service improvements to our community.

“We are experiencing delays after delays on projects across the borough, and yet again the Labour councillors appear to be asleep at the wheel.

“The money has been set aside. The new service plans have been written for them; they’ve even been assessed. Yet our Labour council leader has failed to sign them off in time.

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“This Labour failure will mean the new services could be delayed or may even not go ahead. Meaning youngsters will be cut off from school, adults cut off from work and the elderly cut off from healthcare.

“It’s time for our Labour Council leadership to pull their finger out - these services are a lifeline for many residents and their failure to  engage will mean real hardship for residents”

The funding is planned to go towards kickstarting services in demand from the community, and in areas that may have lost service through cuts.

A spokesperson for Mr Vickers said the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) had created a list of new or enhanced service proposals in line with demand following Arriva's cuts and new funding from the government.

The proposed services would include extensions to existing routes, and cover the entirety of Tees Valley, from Stockton to Darlington, Redcar and Middlesborough.

However, Councillor Bob Cook, Leader of SBC, contradicted the MP's claims, saying that the authority had taken "swift action".

“We have been heavily involved since cuts to bus services were announced by Arriva," said Cllr Cook.

"Council Leaders across the Tees Valley met with the Tees Valley Mayor recently to agree plans to protect bus services across the area and also decide on how the remaining funding will be spent on services.

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“Officers have also given support for the proposals suggested by the Tees Valley Combined Authority and we know that expressions of interest have already gone ahead.

"Leaders across the Tees Valley were set a deadline of this Friday to confirm our support and I have confirmed Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s support before this deadline.

“In addition to this, we’ve already taken swift action by putting on a free community transport service to plug the gap in Ingleby Barwick, Yarm and Eaglescliffe throughout the school holidays. This free service is an excellent offer and is available to everyone.”