TRAIN operator GNER has been criticised for lobbying against rival plans to bring new services to the region.

Sunderland South MP Chris Mullin said if GNER did not like the threat of competition from Grand Central Railway (GCR), which wants to operate a London to Teesside and Sunderland service, it should expand its own timetable.

GNER chief executive Christopher Garnett has written to more than 100 MPs voicing his opposition to plans for a new direct rail link from the North-East to the capital.

The plans are being considered by the Government's rail regulator, but Mr Garnett said that, if approved, they would hit GNER profits by £380m.

And he said GNER may wish to re-negotiate the £1.3bn it has agreed to pay the Government for transport improvements if Grand Central, based in York, wins approval.

He said: "Should GCR be successful, it will devalue the recently-awarded East Coast franchise by up to £380m over the next ten years, removing money due to the taxpayer - via GNER's premium payments to Government - and placing it in the pocket of an unproven private operator."

But Mr Mullin said: "I realise this proposition is likely to be inconvenient from the point of view of GNER and its shareholders, but from the point of view of those of us who travel regularly from Wearside and Teesside to London, it is at least worth considering."

GCR managing director Ian Yeowart said: "I'm surprised he's written to MPs in the North-East given that we've got cross-party support in the North-East and backing from councils."