Virgin boss Richard Branson has claimed that York could enter a new railway age as an important hub in the trans-European rail network.

He said that if Virgin won the go-ahead to run a direct daily service from York to Paris, it would "take York into the next railway epoch, way beyond what George Hudson envisaged when he set about building the city into the important rail centre it is today."

But Mr Branson warned that there could be further problems in getting the necessary safety certification to run the Eurostar trains down the East Coast route.

The Evening Press recently revealed how Virgin wanted to lease Eurostar train sets from owners London & Continental to run regional services to Paris from the north, including York, down the East Coast line.

Now Mr Branson has written another letter to York MP Hugh Bayley outlining further details of Virgin's proposals.

He said the company aimed to launch trains down both the West Coast and East Coast routes simultaneously but said Railtrack had advised him that existing certification for the East Coast line, relating to the test-running of trains, had lapsed.

"Naturally, if our bid to operate Eurostar were successful, we would want to see a full case secured for running through to Glasgow as soon as possible. Any delay might be construed as damaging to the interests of the UK regions."

He said that, if a daily train service through the Channel Tunnel from Scotland and the North was a success, further additional services could be laid on - and he could see no reason why these should not stop at York as well.

"Our plans reflect the importance which we attach to this strategically important city."

Mr Bayley said the letter meant York was a step closer to achieving the direct service it wanted and needed. He said: "I am delighted that Richard Branson recognises the importance of York."

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