NORTHERN could be stripped of its franchise to run services in Cumbria following crunch talks between the transport secretary and local MPs.

This week the clamour for an urgent response to recent rail chaos has been deafening as the government came under intense fire from both opposition MPs and its own.

MPs John Woodcock and Tim Farron last night met transport secretary Chris Grayling to demand he 'get to grips' with the dire situation in the county.

The MPs were told the issue of removing Northern's franchise, and giving it back to TransPennine Express would be seriously looked at over the coming weeks.

Mr Woodcock, MP for Barrow and Furness, said: "After years of failure from Northern and indifference from government we won’t bank this promise until it results in action, but it is good finally to get recognition of the appalling deal Furness passengers face.

"We will hold the transport secretary to his pledge to consider stripping Northern of its franchise in Cumbria unless conditions improve rapidly and welcome his pledge to help police critical issues like replacement services and school children being left at stations."

Mr Farron, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP, welcomed assurances made by the transport minister that he would carefully consider the proposal to give back the Cumbria franchises to TransPennine Express.

He said: "I’m grateful that Chris Grayling agreed to meet me and John tonight, and for his assurance that the Lakes Line suspension wouldn’t be extended. I’ll be holding him to that, and look forward with interest to his views on the proposal to give the lines back to TransPennine."

On Monday (4) evening Mr Farron and Mr Woodcock were just two of many MPs who had arranged to see transport minsters, desperate to find a solution for their constituents.

A temporary timetable put in place by Northern has seen more than 150 daily services temporarily suspended until July, and all routes on the Lakes Line replaced with buses for two weeks.

Commuters across huge swathes of the north west have faced daily cancellations, with a public campaign being set up to criticise the service.

Before meeting Mr Woodcock and Mr Farron, Chris Grayling addressed the House of Commons on the unfolding rail crisis.

He said: "Let me be absolutely clear. Passengers on these franchises are facing totally unsatisfactory levels of service. And it is my and my department’s number one priority to make sure the industry restores reliability for passengers to an acceptable level.

"I want to assure the passengers affected that I share their frustration about what has happened, and that I am sorry that this has taken place."

Northern were contacted for comment on this story.