Rail operator GNER was today urged to rethink its decision to axe one of only two direct daily rail services between Bradford and London.

Keighley MP Ann Cryer, who yesterday joined a union protest in London against the impact of rail privatisation, led the calls after GNER said it wozuld be cutting the service after winning a new ten-year franchise.

At the same time, the company plans to increase direct trains between Leeds and London to 80 services per day by 2010.

Mrs Cryer, a regular user of the service, said GNER's decision would only encourage more people to use the car and desert public transport.

And she said it highlighted why there needed to be more involvement from the public sector in sustaining routes which are not necessarily profitable.

It is understood GNER has cut the Bradford service because of low levels of passenger numbers on the route.

The Strategic Rail Authority, which oversaw the bidding process for the East Coast main line franchise, had said the winning operator must run a minimum of only one service a day.

GNER said that the Bradford service would have been cut regardless of which company had won the bidding race.

Spokesman Richard Allan said GNER regarded Leeds as the "true gateway to West Yorkshire" and said Bradford passengers benefited from a frequent and fast link to Leeds.

He added: "All passengers in West Yorkshire will benefit from the increased services between London and Leeds."

Trains currently leave Bradford Forster Square for London at 6.30am and 7.13pm, and return at 3.35pm and 5.33pm. The plan is to withdraw the 7.13pm and 3.35pm departures. The date of the changes has yet to be decided although it is likely to be next year.

The single existing direct service between Skipton and London, via Keighley and Shipley, will be maintained.

Bradford Council deputy leader Councillor Kris Hopkins said: "I am disappointed. We do need a regular and frequent train through to London and anything that compromises that position cannot be good for the district.

"The key is that we all carry on campaigning for GNER to reverse its position."

Mrs Cryer described the cutbacks on the Bradford route as "very disappointing".

She said: "Whenever I've been able to use the direct service it has been well used. You close down services like this and it has a knock-on impact because if you have to change trains at Leeds, people often decide to simply drive to Leeds.

"I think that having through links to places actively encourages more people to use a service. I would love them to have a rethink about this."

Mrs Cryer yesterday joined the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union protest in favour of rail re-nationalisation, although she said she would prefer increased involvement from public bodies rather than complete nationalisation.

But RMT general secretary Bob Crow said the plight of Bradford's rail network reflected the problems of privatisation.

"They are going to look at non-profitable routes and close then down," he said. "People want services to places like Bradford but good public transport will never be able to exist in private hands."

Bradford North MP Terry Rooney said he was also disappointed by GNER's decision but he opposed any move towards re-nationalisation.

He said the Bradford service was paying the price for being poorly used by passengers from the district who found it quicker and easier to commute to Wakefield rather than use Forster Square.

However, the decision by GNER to further reduce services from Bradford is likely to strengthen support for an alternative operator to provide a link with the capital.

Last year, the Telegraph & Argus revealed that York-based Grand Central Railway Company has applied to run a commercial service from Forster Square via Halifax and Brighouse. The proposal, which would not require any Government subsidy and would provide four services in each direction per day, is currently being considered by the Office of Rail Regulation.

Grand Central managing director Ian Yeowart said he was pleased GNER had won the East Coast franchise adding the company had "set a benchmark in terms of service quality and delivery".

But he said Bradford could "quite rightly feel snubbed" by the terms of the franchise, particularly the focus on Leeds.

"This new franchise offers nothing to the citizens of major population centres such as Bradford," he said. "We look forward to being able to offer the city and equally high standard of inter-city rail services to the capital."

Roland Clark, president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, accused GNER of being "short-sighted" and said it was now "absolutely essential" that the Rail Regulator gave approval for Grand Central to operate its alternative London service.

"I have always said that we should "use it or lose it" but I am looking forward to the time that we can use an alternative service," he said.