Lifeline for under threat commuter service
GoogleA train service at risk of being scrapped under timetable changes has been given a possible lifeline.
Durham could lose almost half of its direct trains to Edinburgh from December under the plans, which include a morning peak-time LNER service calling at Newcastle.
The Department for Transport (DfT) - which runs LNER - said the industry was looking at the issue, so "there will be an equivalent service in the new timetable".
Network Rail said more details would be available in the summer.
Currently, about 29 weekday services run between the city and the Scottish capital, but that could drop to 17 if the new timings go ahead.
A peak-time LNER service to Edinburgh, which calls at Durham at 08:22 and arrives in Newcastle just after 08:30, is one of those under threat.
If changes go ahead, it would see just two trains leaving the city for Newcastle between 08:00 and 09:00.
A spokesperson for the DfT said the recommended new timetable had been agreed after a public consultation in 2021.
"There will continue to be an hourly direct service from Durham to Edinburgh and the gap in the timetable at 08:22 from Durham to Newcastle is being addressed by the industry so there will be an equivalent service in the new timetable," they added.
'Vital connections'
Network Rail said the new timetable would be a "positive step" that would result in faster journey times and grow capacity on some routes.
As part of the proposals, weekday services from Durham to London would increase from 19 to 22, and 21 trains would travel to Birmingham and Sheffield, up from 18.
Weekday services to Newcastle would be reduced from 66 to 63.
"The timetable for December is still being finalised following feedback earlier this year and we will provide an update in the summer," the spokesperson added.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said additional rail services to London were "wanted", but should not be "at the expense of other vital connections" across the region and the wider north.
"Any effort to remove services isn't welcome and undoubtedly, this will have a negative impact on local people and communities which concerns me deeply," she added.