TORY MP Anne McIntosh has been branded "unhelpful" and "out of touch" after she intervened in plans to open a rail link in a York suburb.

Miss McIntosh contacted Transport Secretary Stephen Byers asking him to block plans for a station in Haxby.

She claimed to be following the wishes of her constituents.

"Haxby is a small, quiet town and residents are worried about the implications of noise and environmental pollution," she said last month.

Mr Byers has since contacted the Vale of York MP to say his department will not be blocking the plans.

Karl Smith, chairman of the constituency Labour Party, said: "I am delighted with Mr Byers' response and his support for the people of Haxby in their bid for this facility.

"This whole episode highlights once again how unhelpful Anne McIntosh can be and how out of touch she is with the majority wishes of her own constituents.

"We look forward to the SRA making a positive decision soon."

Plans to open the station have in the past been backed by Haxby Parish Council.

Miss McIntosh said: "There are though some very real local concerns on this. A community of disabled people would have the station right on their doorstep, and they are worried about noise and environmental pollution.

"Mothers taking their children to the nearby school are very concerned about increased traffic congestion.

"I do accept it should be a local decision and I will stand by whatever decision is taken at the local level."

Updated: 10:58 Tuesday, March 05, 2002