Northumberland’s Labour Group leader Scott Dickinson has added his voice to the proposed changes to train services on the East Coast mainline.

He said: “I’m not surprised at the reaction by local people and leaders.

“It beggars belief that LNER are making these proposals at a time when access to public transport and reduction in car use have been identified, both as a way of levelling up and tackling environmental issues.

“This move is such a backward step when we need to improve connections and tempt people out of their cars with regular and reliable train services.

“We need to ensure that surrounding towns along and near the East Coast mainline are attractive places where people can work at home when they need to and travel to cities when they need to. This simply can’t be done if services are being reduced.

“It’s also a slap in the face for people who have spent their lives living in the county and have had use of the current services.

“There are also implications for tourism which we so badly need as the county recovers from Covid.

“We cannot just stand by when these types of proposals come to light. Services need to be improved in Northumberland not eroded.”