A RAIL watchdog today savaged the Government's decision to "play the two-year Joker card" over the East Coast line franchise.

Jim Beale, chairman of the Rail Passengers Committee for North Eastern England, said there was "widespread disappointment" at last month's extension of GNER's franchise by only two years.

He said fears abounded in the north-east that it signalled a return to "stop-go" investment.

He suggested it might hamper the long-term investment needed to improve the flagship route from York to London and Edinburgh.

Mr Beale was speaking out before a meeting today in York between committee members and the Strategic Rail Authority.

He said members would be seeking details of the short-term passenger benefits which the SRA was to negotiate with GNER under the two-year franchise extension.

They would also attempt to find out how Transport Secretary Stephen Byer's decision not to award a 20-year franchise to either of the bidding companies, GNER and Virgin Trains, fitted in with the Government's 10-year Transport Plan for less congestion, less pollution and less social exclusion.

"Above all else, we want to ensure that the two year Joker card cannot be played twice!"

He said there was widespread disappointment at the Minister's decision.

"We were led to believe that the longer franchise would lever in new investment and add extra capacity on the track, in the trains and at the stations.

"Given the long lead times required for almost any rail infrastructure or rolling stock project, two-year extensions do not provide a commitment to the long-term investment the railway needs."

The Evening Press backed GNER in its bid for a 20-year extension to its franchise in opposition to Virgin's counter-bid.

When Mr Byers announced the two-year extension last month, he asked the SRA to negotiate with GNER to see what improvements it could offer in that period.

A spokesman for GNER said last night it had already held meetings with the SRA to discuss what it was looking for and what the rail company could offer.

He said it hoped the negotiations could be concluded by the autumn.