UNION chiefs have scoffed at claims that this week's cuts in services on rail routes through York were due to a predicted deluge of autumn leaves on to lines.

It has emerged that changes to schedules announced by Trans-Pennine Express - and blamed on expected leaf falls - were also caused by an ongoing dispute between the firm and train drivers' union, ASLEF.

On Monday, it was announced fewer services would run between Manchester and Leeds for at least two weeks. Also affected by the changed schedule are trains from Manchester to Middlesbrough and Newcastle, which will terminate at York, and no trains at all will run between Hull and Manchester Airport.

But, yesterday, it emerged that leaf fall was not the only reason for the cuts to services.

Train operator First Keolis, which took over the running of Trans-Pennine Express earlier this year, admitted an ongoing pay dispute with train drivers had also affected its timetables.

An ASLEF spokesman told the Evening Press the union was in negotiation with the train firm over pay conditions for its drivers. He said until a settlement was reached, ASLEF had banned its drivers from working "rest days".

The spokesman said: "Our view is that TransPennine are running inter-city services in the north of England and the drivers' rates of pay should reflect that. So, if they have not got enough train drivers as a result of our ban on rest days, they obviously have to change their timetables."

As for the "leaves on the line" claim, the spokesman said: "It's funny how selective leaves seem to be about which railway lines they fall on to."

But TransPennine Express's York-based spokesman said: "The prospect of disruption due to leaf fall and poor rail conditions for trains in autumn can lead to late running and cancellation.

"ASLEF members not working their days off removes the flexibility of being able to call upon drivers on rest days to cover sickness, holidays and absence.

"Taking these factors into account we are trying to plan, advertise and run a service that passengers can rely on, rather than attempting to run all services and then cause disruption, disappointment and inconvenience through short notice cancellation and delays," he said.

The train company will review the timetable changes in two weeks' time.

Updated: 10:01 Wednesday, November 03, 2004