GIVE GNER the East Coast Main Line franchise, say two North Yorkshire MPs.

Hugh Bayley and John Greenway have both urged Transport Secretary Stephen Byers to choose GNER over Virgin in the contest to run trains on the East Coast Main Line for the next 20 years.

Both the York and Ryedale MPs have supported the Evening Press Back the Bid campaign to give the York-based train operator the chance to continue running the lucrative Anglo-Scottish route.

My Byers heard pleas from both sides of the House of Commons to stick with the present operator and reject Richard Branson's firm's bid for the 20-year franchise.

He promised to choose between them "as soon as possible" and give the Strategic Rail Authority the signal to announce the winner.

York MP Hugh Bayley said it was important to have competition between the firms running the east coast line and the main line up the west coast which is already run by Virgin.

Tory Ryedale MP John Greenway said not renewing the franchise of one of the country's most successful operators would be very bad for the industry.

"GNER is reckoned generally to have been one of the most successful companies since privatisation and what kind of message does it send for confidence in investment in the railway structure if that kind of success is rewarded by losing the franchise?" he asked.

Mr Byers, a regular user of the line, said he understood the importance of the decision.

"The important thing is that the submissions from both bidders are given proper and due consideration," he told the House.

"I do not intend to rush it and make the wrong decision but I am aware that the award of this franchise is keenly awaited by many travellers up and down the country."

The Evening Press revealed last week the SRA had backed GNER in a recommendation passed to the Government on June 7.

A spokesman for the SRA confirmed a decision had been made by the rail regulator's board, but said an announcement would not be made "until later in the summer".

Updated: 08:53 Wednesday, July 04, 2001