Meridian nine-coach trains, estimated to cost £12m each, should have begun operating an extended Midland Mainline service linking Leeds with Sheffield and London last December.

But the proposed service was axed months earlier by the now-defunct Strategic Rail Authority (SRA), a decision which sparked outrage in the region.

And it is understood that the Department for Transport (DfT), which has taken on SRA responsibilities, has not given any clear direction on the issue – although rail operator Midland Mainline has managed to introduce four of the seven units into passenger service despite the setbacks, including between South Yorkshire and London. It means three of the nine-coach trains are still sitting in railway sidings – although Midland Mainline is set to introduce one of these into service on Monday.

In a further twist, Midland Mainline is still obliged to attempt to introduce the hourly Leeds-Sheffield-London service under the terms of its franchise – despite it being axed by the Government through the SRA last year.

It leaves the future of the trains unclear, despite the last unit being delivered by the manufacturer at the beginning of the year and an industry chief saying they could ease overcrowding between Leeds and Sheffield.

Virgin CrossCountry managing director Chris Gibb told the Yorkshire Post that he was not opposed to Midland Mainline running an extended service as it would ease overcrowding.

But Mr Gibb said he could introduce them on to the network within three weeks if he could get hold of the new trains – although any deal would be subject to the DfT's approval under the terms of the company's franchise.

"All the peak hour trains into Leeds in the morning and back out of Leeds in the afternoon are full in both standard and first class on weekdays and that is the key growth corridor for me which is a mixture of local business and people travelling further south of Sheffield," said Mr Gibb.

Last night, Sheffield Attercliffe MP Clive Betts said he was "staggered" and waiting for a reply after writing to the relevant Minister to ask about the future of the trains.

"Whoever is responsible, it is an absolute disgrace," said the Labour MP, who is planning to table Parliamentary Questions about the issue. "In the end the people who aren't responsible are the passengers who are faced with overcrowding and a poor service which could be rectified at a stroke."

Mr Betts also revealed a Parliamentary group is being launched next month to campaign for more investment in the Midland Mainline route which stretches from Sheffield through the East Midlands and into London.

Midland Mainline managing director Paul Bunting said the firm was making "the best fist" of the situation as it could, and was committed to providing punctual and high-quality services.

"We are trying to get these trains into service on the Midland Mainline so our customers get as many new trains as we possibly can.

"But we are conscious that is not fulfilling the original requirement for the vehicles," he said.

Mr Bunting also said investment in the Midland Mainline route would be needed in the future to ensure it stayed competitive against the motorway and East Coast services to London.

It was important the line "punched its weight" and a prospectus of improvements was being drawn up, he added.

The DfT said it was committed to improving rail links between Sheffield and Leeds, either through Midland Mainline or alternative services.

But a spokesman added there were already four trains an hour, off peak, operating between the two cities including two stopping, two semi-fast and one express service.

He also said the new trains were being introduced, although this process took time.

The revelation that new trains are sitting in sidings comes after the launch of a Yorkshire Post campaign to get a fairer transport deal for the region and amid fears that the economy is being threatened by roads and railways grinding towards "gridlock" with underfunding running into billions of pounds compared to London's transport network.
william.green@ypn.co.uk