THE Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) is to make a statement on Arriva shortly after receiving a "significant" response on plans to fine the troubled operator.

More than 100 replies were gathered by the authority in response to an enforcement order imposed last month.

Sunderland-based Arriva Trains Northern was fined £2m for cancelled services and had to hit stringent driver targets or face further financial penalties.

A 26-day consultation period on the enforcement order ran out on Monday.

Rail chiefs say that two thirds of the responses received were from members of the public.

The rest came from stakeholders such as other train operating companies, local authorities and MPs.

The terms of the enforcement order imposed on Arriva because of its recent appalling record had to be advertised at every station that the company served.

Gavin Bostock, a spokesman for the SRA, said: "There has been a significant response and understandably so, as people have strong concerns about their local services.

"We are considering the various representations received and hope to make a statement on the matter early next month."

Arriva could face further serious sanctions from the SRA including, ultimately, the termination of its Trans-Pennine franchise, depending on the level of its performance.

It has been forced to replace more than 1,000 services with buses because of a shortage of fully trained drivers.

David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said they had written to the Strategic Rail Authority to express concerns about cuts to Arriva services as well as writing to Government ministers.

He said disruption to the Middlesbrough section of the Trans-Pennine route would have a dire effect on the area.

Rural routes could also fall by the wayside as a result, with people deserting the train for the car.

The council was arguing for a passenger transport executive with recognised statutory powers to be put in place to cover Middlesbrough and Cleveland and protect its interests.

Such authorities already exist in the bigger metropolitan areas of West Yorkshire and Tyne and Wear.