TRAIN services in Lancaster and Morecambe have been hit by a double blow in the last week.

Arriva trains announced on Friday that it is to cut services on the Leeds to Lancaster and Morecambe line from next Monday.

Meanwhile, a high speed link to London on the West Coast main line seems further away than ever as a result of Railtrack's continuing financial problems.

Green Coun Cllr Jonathan Sear, in an open letter to the managing director of Arriva trains, said: "I was dismayed to learn of the severe service cuts due to be introduced on the Leeds - Lancaster/Morecambe line from next Monday.

"I fully understand the problems Arriva is having with driver shortages/training and do not wish to dwell on lessons to be learnt from past events.

"However of all the routes that Arriva Northern operates, this line must already have one of the poorest service frequencies.

"The cuts you are introducing mean that the last train from Leeds to Morecambe on a weekday will depart at 2.19pm.

"The substitute bus services will mean unacceptably long journey times and will not be attractive, and I also understand that they will be unable to carry bicycles."

Arriva has blamed the cuts on an inability to attract enough drivers.

Railtrack is understood to have held talks with Railtrack this week over the proposed 140 mph improvement to the West Coast main line, linking Lancaster to London.

The company is understood to be considering scrapping the scheme because of its financial difficulties. The introduction of 125 mph train services on the line has already been pushed back until 2003 at the earliest.

Cllr Sear added: "If these rumours are true it is yet more bad news for the travelling public.

"The Government must not repeat the mistakes that were made when Railtrack was created.

"It is really important the new system enables people to have a say in which improvements to rail services should be the top priorities, and then makes sure these improvements actually happen, and happen quickly."