That's the view of train users and community figures, who have joined together in calling for the future of all services between Hexham and Haltwhistle to be retained.

A leaked document prepared for the Strategic Rail Authority is understood to contains proposals to cut some of the services on the Tyne Valley line between Newcastle and Carlisle.

The Courant spoke to commuters about the possible cuts on Wednesday, and they expressed concerns that buses would be a slower, less reliable, more expensive and an unrealistic alternative.

Melanie Gorman (37) of Shepherds Terrace, Haltwhistle said: "It would be a shame if we lost any services because rural communities are becoming cut off. With high petrol prices, the last thing we want to lose is our trains.

"We are limited even now - not every train stops in Haltwhistle as it is."

Using a bus would not give passengers the freedom they currently enjoy on the train, says Haltwhistle's Susan Wilkinson (45) of Greenpark Crescent.

"I would not like to get the bus," she said. "It is more expensive and I don't like it. A lot of people like to get on with some work or do some reading on the train, and it is more relaxing. We would miss out on that."

One resident, Sylvia Costelloe (63) of Coanwood, says she would not get to Newcastle in time if she took a bus.

Gilsland's Hilary Rackstraw said the 7.45am train from Haltwhistle to Newcastle is economically sound, and losing it would result in increased traffic and parking problems.

Aboard that train was Rail Maritime and Transport Union northern rep Craig Johnston, who believes that the services will not be cut.

'From what I understand, it is highly unlikely," he said.

"But this service is essential to the local community.

"We will be fighting to prevent any reductions in services or station closures."

County councillor for Haydon and Hadrian Coun. Colin Horncastle says any cuts would be "another kick in the teeth for rural people - It would be exactly the opposite of what everyone in higher authority is wanting - to take traffic off the roads," he said.

And county councillor for Haltwhistle Lawrence Thompson called not only for retention, but for improvement.

He said: "As far as the rural west is concerned we suffer from different types of deprivation, from employment to access to services.

"The removal of transport services really increases these problems and my feeling is we should improve services let alone maintain them.

"This is a threat to the vibrancy of rural areas."

Note --

see also; Fears over rail link; Cuts to North-East Rail Services Opposed; Transport boss fears move to cut rail services; RMT ridicules "cut trains to cope with growth" plan; Objections raised about rail cuts; Save the Night Riviera sleeper train; Whitehall plans cuts in local rail services.