It says access for people with disabilities needs "serious attention" and car parking provision has to be looked at.

The report, by the Tyne Valley Rail Users' Group, is aimed at train companies currently bidding for the franchise.

Malcolm Chainey, chairman of the group, said he hoped the prospective operator would take the advice on board.

'Urgent priority'

He said: "The first major problem is access, particularly at Corbridge, which is one of those stations where you can only get access to one of the platforms by footbridge.

"If you are disabled, or have a pram, then that isn't possible.

"There is legislation now that will require something to be done about that... it is one very urgent priority for the incoming franchise operator.

Mr Chainey said five train operators were bidding for the franchise, which is currently run by Arriva.

He said he believed it was up to the operator to maintain the stations.

Station 'adoption'

Mr Chainey added: "The stations are owned by Network Rail but they are leased by the operator, which is currently Arriva.

"As I understand it, it is the operator who is responsible for the upkeep... Arriva has painted some of the stations and plan to do more."

Mr Chainey said another option was for local people to "adopt" the station.

He added: "I think it is a very good idea. Bardon Mill station has been adopted but I don't think it has been terribly easy for them to get the things doing that need doing.

"Station adoption in that sense is all about making the place look nice, it is not about the heavy civil engineering that is needed in some places.

"I hope the franchise bidders will looks at the report and do something to make the stations an attractive place to be."