A LACK of investment in northern railways is stunting the region's development, according to a rail users' watchdog.

In a report published today, the Rail Passengers' Committee (RPC) says northern England is suffering by comparison to the South, where many rail links have been earmarked for major investment.

The RPC's North Western and North Eastern groups have joined forces to stage a "rail summit", aimed at securing cash for railways in the north.

A spokesman for the RPC said: "The summit is timely, as franchises in the North of England are coming to an end and the SRA will be considering bids to run the new franchises.

"We want to give an indication of the improvements that rail investment can deliver, economically, socially and for the environment, to all those who have a stake in the rail industry. This issue is critical for the future of our region.

"We do not believe that the South should get less investment, but we certainly believe that the North should get more."

The warning has been welcomed by business groups in the North.

Andrew Lindsay, vice-president of the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "I quite agree that the lack of investment holds back our development. "

A spokeswoman for the SRA denied there was a North-South divide in rail funding, saying: "Large sums of money are being spent to benefit the North, but we also cannot ignore the extreme pressure on the rail system in the South East."

The rail summit takes place in Leeds next Friday.

For more details, phone 01904 625615.

Updated: 14:59 Friday, September 20, 2002