HC Deb 01 August 1961 vol 645 cc1115-6
Mr. Boyden

I beg leave to submit to this Honourable House six Petitions objecting to the closure of the Barnard Castle to Penrith railway line. The six Petitioners are the Barnard Castle Rural District Council, the Shildon Urban District Council, the Bishop Auckland Urban District Council and the Darlington Corporation under their common seal, and they are supported by the Cumberland County Council, the Durham County Council and two Petitions signed by 2,000 members of the public representing the Friends of the Lake District and the Ramblers' Association and other amenity interests.

The Petitioners state that as representatives of well over 1 million people in the North they fear the damage that the closure of this line will do to the economy of South-West Durham, parts of the North Riding, Westmorland and parts of Cumberland. They fear the hardship which will be caused to soldiers, convalescent mine workers, farmers and farm workers, the sick, the aged, apprentices and students and railway workers. They fear the aggravation of the already dangerous condition of road A.66 and they fear the deprivation to thousands of industrial workers on Tees-side and in Durham of opportunities for recreation in the country. They fear the damage to the tourist industry of the Lake District, Teesdale, Weardale and Kirkby Stephen. They fear the tribulation which will be caused to the rural communities in severe weather and the dangers that might result to the urban population in times of war. Wherefore your Petitioners pray that this House ask the Minister of Transport to give a direction to the British Transport Commission that the direct railway service from Barnard Castle to Penrith be maintained and improved. And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

To lie upon the table.