THE Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) was last night under renewed pressure to intervene in the long running pay dispute between conductors and Arriva Trains Northern.

Passengers watchdog, the North-East Rail Passengers Committee (RPC), said it planned to question the authority over its stance.

The SRA has said it cannot and will not intervene to stop a series of strikes planned by conductors, saying such matters are for the train company and the unions to resolve.

But privately, many in the industry feel the authority should be taking a more proactive approach.

Ernie Preston, secretary of the North-East RPC, said: "The SRA awarded Arriva its contract and there are no clauses in there to say it is okay for staff to strike.

"When they were short of drivers they were fined £2m, so what's happening now?

"This dispute has been going on for five months and it is perhaps time we started asking questions on behalf of passengers."

The SRA subsidises Arriva to run its regional train services. It is currently deciding on the award of a new contract for a revamped northern rail franchise.

Arriva Trains Northern's current franchise runs out in February and The Northern Echo revealed earlier this year how the dispute could run until this expires.

The Rail Maritime and Transport Union has already announced strike dates on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.