STRESSED passengers on early-morning trains are collapsing in overcrowded

carriages, commuters claim.

Regular travellers on the Wharfedale Line have often criticised the

overcrowding, which has arisen on early Ilkley to Leeds services when

previous trains have been cancelled.

And some say the knock-on effect of rail problems elsewhere in the country is

leading to more cancellations, and more crowded trains.

Solicitor Andrew Machin, from Derry Hill, Menston, said he had seen three people collapse amid packed carriages, all of them young people.

"I've seen quite a few people collapse now. I moved here from Manchester and I've never seen anything like it. It was nowhere near as bad over there," he said.

Mr Machin said rail operator Northern Spirit told him trains were being cancelled because of a lack of drivers.

He was told that while engineering work at Leeds Station, and emergency work in the wake of the Hatfield crash, was having some impact on services, other drivers are being taken from their regular duties to learn how to drive the new Class 333 trains.

The first new train is expected to arrive on the Wharfedale Line shortly.

Mr Machin said: "I do sympathise with Northern Spirit, a lot of this is because of Railtrack."

But the problem of crowded carriages is nothing new - Ilkley parish councillor Joyce Galling raised concerns about

passengers fearing for their lives on the trains last year.

Councillor Galling said some people have felt so intimidated by the crowding - despite reassurances no safety regulations had been broken - they have left the train at Guiseley Station.

Coun Galling said she hoped the

introduction of the new trains will solve the problems.

A spokeswoman for Northern Spirit asked passengers to bear with the problems on the line, which he said have been a knock-on effect of Railtrack's delay in finishing engineering work at Leeds Station.

He apologised to any passengers who had been inconvenienced in any way. However, he said the Wharfedale Line would be able to look forward to the introduction of the new Class 333 train, the first of which he said would start running very soon.

Railtrack has confirmed it will be at least Monday before some normality returns to train services through Leeds Station.

Following urgent detailed discussions last Thursday with Railtrack's contractors and the train operating companies, it was revealed that engineers needed at least another ten days to complete the current phase of the £165m modernisation project at Leeds.

l Northern Spirit is offering

compensation for rail passengers on the Wharfedale Line, following disruption due to delays with the work at Leeds Station.

Railtrack recently apologised for the engineering work taking longer than expected.

Now Northern Spirit has said it will compensate season ticket and MetroCard holders for up to eight days' worth of

disruption on the line over the Christmas period.

Details will be made available at all

stations including Ilkley, Menston and Guiseley.

For up-to-date train information ring National Rail Enquiries on (08457) 484950 or check out the online information site at www.railtrack.co.uk.