LANCASTER and Morecambe's MPs have made progress this week in fighting for the better rail links for the area - but admit the journey is far is from over.

Hilton Dawson and Geraldine Smith met members of the Strategic Rail Authority on Tuesday to voice local anger at Lancaster's rating as an 'inter-mediate' station compared to Preston, Wigan and Warring-ton's 'important junction' status.

"The authority was saying a lot of the right things about future improvements and we are hopeful, but not confident," said Mr Dawson later.

"We must continue to press the case for excellent links with our area because rail is fundamental to the future of Lancaster."

The MPs were told that during 2004 North Lancashire rail users could look forward to hourly trains to London and Glasgows, with each journey taking three hours.

Next year will also see First Group taking over the Manchester Airport service and new trains are in the offing.

But Mr Dawson said there was a great deal of concern over existing services, which were 'simply not good enough'.

"There is chronic overcrowding on some routes, a lack of investment and publicity, all vital to Lancaster and Morecambe. While there are moves to improve the Morecambe branch line, the Morecambe to Leeds route can barely be described as a service," said the Labour MP for Lancaster and Wyre.

"We are also very worried about the huge amount of work and associated huge delays in the reconstruction of the West Coast line."

The two MPs have pressed Chris Austin, the authority's executive director of community rail development, to set up a joint meeting with rail users, councillors and any other interested parties to talk about concerns and services.