NEARLY 1,000 York jobs could be at risk if GNER fails to win the race to run train services on the East Coast Main Line, MP Hugh Bayley warned today.

He joined MPs from northern England and Scotland to lobby ministers to allow the York-based rail operator to continue operating the flagship line.

GNER is battling FirstGroup, Danish Railways and a Virgin/Stagecoach consortium for the right to run services on the 400-mile line linking London, York and Scotland.

Labour backbencher Mr Bayley spoke out during a high-profile Westminster debate on the future of the East Coast Main Line.

He warned 409 jobs at GNER's York headquarters would be at risk if the company lost the multimillion pound franchise. None of rival bidders have pledged to retain a York HQ. Some 400 jobs at York-based Corus Rail Consulting, which specialises in design engineering, plus hundreds at track maintenance firm Jarvis, could also be axed, said Mr Bayley. Rail supply firms find it convenient to locate in York near GNER's base, the MP added.

Mr Bayley continued: "York lost thousands of jobs after rail privatisation, but we have clawed them back, largely because GNER stayed in York.

"It could be disastrous if that altered."

He said a GNER defeat would "send out the message that quality and reliability are not valued and are not to be rewarded".

Mr Bayley said he understood the need for competition. But GNER had been so successful since 1996 that it should retain the franchise, dubbed the "the jewel in the crown of Britain's railways".

He added: "I accept you have to win a franchise on merit, but the Government must also take into account track record in providing and improving a service."

Len Cruddas, chief executive of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, echoed the MP's comments.

"GNER has significantly transformed the quality of service." He said keeping hundreds of jobs in York was vital to the city centre economy.

GNER spokesman John Gelson said: "We're most grateful to the MPs who have spoken so warmly of GNER and the standard of service we provide.

"We've also seen an unprecedented level of support from rail passengers, with almost thirty thousand people taking the trouble to express their backing for our bid."

He said GNER had invested heavily in improving station facilities, including a new travel centre, passenger lounges and a new underpass at York.

Rail Minister Charlotte Atkins accepted there was "tremendous support" for GNER.

But she said competition would drive up standards - although pledged to "take into account the relevant performance" of bidders.

Iain Duff, project manager of the passenger champion group, the Rail Passengers Council north east, said it was maintaining a neutral stance on the franchise race. "We want to make sure that whoever gets it, that the end result is a better service for passengers and more attractive fares."

GNER is seeking to win a seven-year deal, starting next May.

Updated: 11:02 Wednesday, February 09, 2005