ARRIVA bosses were said to be in crunch talks today to discuss controversial service cuts which could see 800 train services a week axed in Yorkshire and replaced by buses.
Peter Davis, Yorkshire branch chairman of the pressure group Rail Future, said the company was meeting the Strategic Rail Authority to debate a huge reduction in services this winter.
Transpennine Express services to Manchester Airport would be particularly affected under the proposals.
Mr Davis revealed details of the meeting as the row raged over the contents of a leaked document which, he said, would cause rail chaos in the region.
A draft timetable from Arriva Trains Northern has revealed that 1,117 trains a week could be cancelled from as early as next week, with about 800 of them in Yorkshire. It is thought the service changes, if confirmed, will operate during the winter months.
In North Yorkshire, the document reveals that only the Middlesbrough to Whitby line would remain unscathed if the proposals were implemented.
An Arriva spokesman said; "We are still meeting with the Strategic Rail Authority and various passenger transport executives. When those discussions have concluded, we will be released information concerning any modifications or revision of timetables."
* The co-chairman of Virgin Rail was today being confirmed as the next chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority.
Industry sources said Richard Bowker, 35, would replace Sir Alastair Morton.
Updated: 11:00 Wednesday, October 24, 2001
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