Leaks have suggested the Government wants to shut uneconomic lines and stations and among those up for closure are Brampton, Wetheral, Haltwhistle, Dunston, Blaydon, Haydon Bridge and Bardon Mill.

Mr Maclean, Tory MP for Penrith and the Border, said the excuse that small, rural lines delay high-speed trains is nonsense in this case because no high-speed trains use the Carlisle-to-Newcastle line.

He claims the route and stations are essential for tourism development along the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage site.

Mr Maclean said:"I have asked Alistair Darling for urgent assurances that these stations will not be closed and there will be no loss of early or late train services to all the stations.

"Furthermore I want him to publish these secret documents as soon as possible so that we can all have our fears allayed."

Earlier this month, Mr Darling pledged there would be no rail line closures in Cumbria. He was speaking in advance of a review of the northern rail franchise which includes the lines from Carlisle to Barrow, Newcastle and Leeds.

Mr Darling, who was travelling through the county on a service marking the start of 125mph trains, said: "We are not in the business of wholesale closures. Those days are behind us."