THE chairman of the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line has called for Arriva Trains Northern to be "stripped of its franchise" due to the "appalling service" it provides.

Philip Johnston said The Friends of the Settle to Carlisle Line were absolutely appalled that what British Rail failed to do 10 years ago - to close the line - could be achieved by Arriva's handling of its franchise.

He added: "Not only should Arriva not get the franchise next year but Arriva should be stripped of its current franchise because it's not providing the service it should be."

His comments come after the Friends obtained an internal document from Arriva, detailing plans to cut train services on the Settle-Carlisle route.

It states that from October 29, the through train from Leeds to Glasgow, which calls at Settle, Kirkby Stephen and Appleby, on the Settle-Carlisle Line, will be axed.

According to the Friends, the move is an attempt by Arriva Trains Northern to rationalise its services in the face of major problems within the company. The corresponding Glasgow to Leeds train will also disappear.

Vice-president Pete Shaw said that since the winter timetable began in September, the train had only been running from Leeds to Carlisle, with Glasgow passengers having to find an alternative train for the final leg of their journey.

Now he added the train was to be cancelled altogether, with a pledge from Arriva to review the situation next February.

The document states that instead of the train, Arriva plans to run a replacement bus for most of the trip, which the Friends call "deplorable".

Passengers will have to catch a local Leeds to Skipton train, calling at all the intermediate stations, then transfer to a bus, which will go to Carlisle, calling at Settle, Kirkby Stephen and Appleby, as the train would have done.

The Friends claim the bus will not be able to keep to the train schedule due to the narrow, winding nature of the Dales country roads.

They add that passengers on the replacement bus could be overtaken by the next train from Leeds before they reach Carlisle.

Arriva is cancelling 600 trains per week on its network, mainly due to driver shortages.

The Friends suggest that urban lines should be the first target for cuts rather than rural routes.

Mr Shaw added the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle line only had six trains in each direction per day, so to remove one in each direction would have a major impact; whereas urban routes with services every few minutes could be pruned without causing such great inconvenience.

The Friends said that the Leeds-Skipton-Morecambe route would also suffer, with four out of 10 trains being removed.

Mr Johnston added: "At a time when so much of North Yorkshire and South Cumbria has been desperately afflicted by foot and mouth, we have enough problems without losing the railway.

"This is dreadful when you think of all the money that has been spent on the line to bring it up to date. In winter young people and old people who have no access to four wheels rely on the trains, and it's no excuse to say there's no drivers."

Mr Shaw added: "These latest cuts are appalling. The Friends spend many thousands of pounds annually, plus many hours of volunteers time, helping Arriva to promote and develop the route. For them to turn round and withdraw the services is a real slap in the face."

He said it was not surprising that Coun Mick Lyons, chairman of the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority, which gives them £50 million a year in subsidy, had also called for Arriva to be stripped of its franchise.

A spokeswoman for Arriva Trains Northern refused to comment on the Friends' claims.

She added: "We have not announced anything yet. We're currently going through the process of what we are going to do. After holding a meeting in September, we are waiting for all the various parties to agree before we announce anything."