A RAIL-USER watchdog group has slammed a train operator's alternative travel arrangements when services are cancelled.

The Support The East Lancashire Line Association (STELLA), based in Nelson, has highlighted the problems caused when cancelled trains are are replaced by buses and taxis.

According to the group, on occasions buses provided by the train operator First North Western have failed to stop at some of the stations along the Colne to Preston line -- leaving passengers stranded.

The secretary of the organisation, Alan Benson, of Bird Street, Brierfield, claims that on one occasion a passenger whose train had been cancelled was left waiting on a platform until after midnight.

When the replacement bus also failed to show the passenger called a taxi, for which he was reimbursed by First North Western with travel vouchers that did not match the cost.

STELLA's annual report says the problem is particularly serious during periods when engineering work was being carried out earlier in the year.

Mr Benson has written to First North Western outlining STELLA's concerns. In reply a spokesman for first North Western said: "On any occasion that we are unable to provide our normal advertised service we make every effort to ensure that the road transport provided mirrors the train service as closely as possible.

"We understand the importance of ensuring that the road transport is effective in replacing the train, particularly in those areas of our network that consist of many small and often unstaffed stations.

"We currently use the services of a number of bus contractors to provide this service on our behalf. I regret that, depending on the circumstances and availability of buses from local contractors, we often have to call on services of contractors from further afield.

"I understand that this can have implications as far as the lack of local route knowledge of the drivers provided is concerned and that there have been a number of problems affecting individual customers.

"I would reiterate that every effort is made to ensure that stops are not missed and I would assure customers that every complaint we receive about the failure of the bus service is taken up with the contractor concerned in an effort to prevent any similar incidents."