§ 60. Mr. Milneasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the traffic congestion and parking difficulties caused in part by rail closures, he will seek powers to enable him to secure the reopening of railway lines.
§ Mr. PeytonNo, Sir.
§ Mr. MilneIs the Minister aware that that is an extremely disappointing reply? A number of closures of railway lines linking South-East Northumberland with Newcastle have resulted in traffic congestion in that area. Is he aware that the best way of avoiding that congestion is to consider reopening the existing railway links recently closed? As a result of the industrial development of the area in the past five or six years it is imperative that those railway links be reopened.
§ Mr. PeytonOf course I realise that negative answers to such Questions as the hon. Gentleman asked are always unwelcome. Nevertheless, before what are always painful decisions are taken the matters to which the hon. Gentleman has referred are always taken into account.