THE Strategic Rail Authority has vowed to ensure tangible benefits for passengers before it allows GNER an extension of its franchise for the East Coast line.

According to a statement from the watchdog organisation the Rail Passengers Committee, such benefits are likely to include:

- Better train performance

- Improvements to stations

- Refurbishment of rolling stock

- Additional train services.

But the committee made no mention of the prospects for major investment by York-based GNER in new trains.

This investment proposal formed a key element of the company's plans for the future when it was bidding for a 20-year extension to its franchise, and observers fear that Transport Secretary Stephen Byers' decision last month to offer only a two-year franchise extension, might scupper the proposals.

The RPC issued a brief statement after a private meeting with SRA officials in York earlier this week.

It said: "The SRA is adamant that there will be no franchise extension without tangible passenger benefits...

"The committee is satisfied that the matter is not cut and dried, and that meaningful consultation is taking place."

It added that it was keen to ensure that further short-term extensions did not occur, and it had been reassured by the approach being taken by the SRA.

Updated: 10:53 Friday, August 24, 2001