'Our town deserves better after rail changes'
NCJ MediaCouncillors have said their town "deserves better" after a new rail timetable means many will lose a direct link to key destinations.
Those living in Northumberland's second-largest town will no longer be able to easily travel to places like Gateshead's Metrocentre, Hexham and Carlisle, Cramlington town councillors say.
The new timetable came into effect earlier in December as part of major changes to the East Coast Main Line, with the main operator LNER previously describing it as "transformational".
While changes have meant faster journeys between London and Newcastle, some stations, including Berwick and villages in Northumberland, have seen reduced stops.
Wayne Daley, councillor for Cramlington North, said the "poor" decision was not "joined up transport planning", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
He said the town had promises of more trains a few years ago, including a direct link to Edinburgh, and a commitment to earlier and later trains.
"Now it seems the government has decided that it's more important to connect London to Newcastle and Edinburgh, which means Cramlington gets a worse deal and will drive more people off rail and onto the roads," he added.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said the new East Coast Main Line timetable "marks the biggest change to the route in a decade".
They said it would deliver faster journeys and greater capacity for passengers and communities, "with 60,000 extra seats weekly".
A spokesperson for operator Northern added: "The new timetable has been developed jointly between operators, Network Rail and the Department for Transport, with the aim of balancing local, regional and long-distance services while delivering a more reliable and punctual network overall."
