HERTFORDSHIRE county councillors have voted unanimously to lodge formal objections to rail plans they fear could result in poorer train services to people in Watford and Bushy.

Railtrack has been consulting local authorities on plans to upgrade the West Coast Mainline between London and Glasgow to enable tilting trains to operate on its fast line at up to 140mph, and to allow trains on the slower line to travel at 100mph.

At Hertfordshire County Council's AGM on Tuesday last week, a report from officers outlined concerns 'in principle' to the work.

The three main concerns were:

ÊInconvenience to the public, which may be caused by compulsory purchase land for access during construction

ÊImpact on the landscape of a new power transformer

ÊPossible negative effects on local train services.

County Councillor Brian York, Labour spokesman for the environment, said the last was his greatest concern.

Virgin Trains is the main operator on the fast line, which currently has a speed limit of 110mph. Silverlink uses the slower line for its semi-fast service, with a maximum speed of about 80mph.

But Councillor York argued that Silverlink uses both tracks for some of its journeys and the upgrade would confine its trains to the slower lines.

'This means worse services for many Hertfordshire residents because trains will be slower,' he said.

'Passengers from Watford and Bushy will suffer.

'It could mean journeys from Hemel Hempstead to Euston are lengthened by up to eight minutes.'

A spokesman for Railtrack said it was in discussions with Silverlink but its ability to use the fast line depended on Railtrack being able to extend its franchise.

Silverlink, which is half-way through a seven-year contract, would need trains that could travel at a minimum of 125mph to travel on the fast line but it needs to know whether the Government will allow it to operate on the line for longer to make an investment in new faster trains worthwhile.

The spokesman said: 'We will continue to discuss the plans with local authorities to try to come to a compromise.

'Although the deadline for objections has passed, people can still write to the Department of the Environment and the Regions with their concerns.'

The spokesman said the Silverlink stopper service between Watford and Euston, the Connex South Central service to Gatwick and freight services would not be affected by the upgrade project.

A public inquiry is expected to be held later this year.

The fast line has a target completion date of 2002 and the slow line 2005.

Last month, Dacorum Borough Council formally objected to the proposals because of concerns over the possible environmental impact of four power transformers in its area.