YORK is a proud railway city with deep connections to the industry. The East Coast Mainline doesn't just run through York - it runs through the heart of York.

So any news that railway jobs are under threat is a serious blow to York's economy and to its pride. The fact that Railtrack is considering moving its regional headquarters out of the city - as revealed in tonight's Evening Press - is the starkest possible news.

In the years following privatisation, and in the aftermath of the Hatfield rail tragedy, Railtrack has been a company facing massive financial problems. And in common with any such troubled company, Railtrack is looking to save money by consolidation.

The proposed new headquarters would oversee the newly-merged regions of London North Eastern, which is presently run from York, and the East Anglia zone. One headquarters instead of two would see savings in staff costs and result in the inevitable redundancies here in York.

The location of the new headquarters is not yet known but staff believe it could be in Peterborough or Doncaster, both of which are more central to the new region.

The departure of Railtrack from York would end a long association with the city's traditional industry.

In recent years hopes over Railtrack have been raised and dashed on a number of occasions. In 1996, it was feared that the recently-privatised Railtrack might relocate to Leeds. Then in 1998, the prospect for York looked better as Railtrack revealed it wanted to build a new regional headquarters on land behind York Station.

Sadly, this ambitious and welcome plan was dropped, leaving staff facing an uncertain future.

That period of not being able to see far ahead might now be at an end, and in the gloomiest possible way. In spite of its much-publicised recent problems, Railtrack has been a flagship company for York and any way forward which could see it remaining in the city must be sought.

Updated: 10:39 Tuesday, September 04, 2001