HC Deb 14 December 1938 vol 342 cc1994-5
78. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the very unsatisfactory nature of railway transport facilities in the county of Fife, particularly the closing down of the station at Kelty; and whether he will consult with the railway company concerning the necessity of increasing the utility to the public of the services concerned?

Mr. Burgin

I am informed by the London and North Eastern Railway Company that they consider the train services which they provide in the county of Fife to be adequate for the traffic which is offered. The only important instances where facilities have been withdrawn in recent years are the closing, for passenger traffic, of the Dunfermline-Kincardine and Kincardine-Alloa lines in 1930, and of the Leslie branch in 1932. The passenger train service, which was very little used, was withdrawn from Kelty station in 1930, as part of a scheme for effecting economies in the face of declining revenue. I am assured that in each case adequate alternative facilities exist to meet the requirements of the districts concerned.

Mr. Gallacher

Is there no possibility of coming to some understanding with the railway company to get this line opened up and increase the amount of traffic; and is the Minister aware that there is a very inadequate railway service in Fife?

Mr. Burgin

At Kelty there were only 17 or 18 passengers a day for a number of years. The passenger bookings fell off by nearly 97 per cent.

Mr. Gallacher

Was that not due to the fact that passengers were not encouraged, because of the infrequency of the trains and the irregularity of the service?

Mr. Burgin

There were five each way.