§ 7.2 pm
§ Mr. George Osborne (Tatton)I am delighted to present a petition of the residents of Wilmslow, Alderley Edge and the surrounding area that was organised by Andrew Stephenson, Jim Crockatt, Joan Barnes, Rod Menlove and Keith Chapman. The petition declares:
That they believe that Wilmslow's direct rail service to London is of vital importance to the local community and the local economy, notes that it is used by 78,000 passengers a year, further notes that Virgin Trains wishes to maintain the service, and therefore strongly oppose the arbitrary decision by the Strategic Rail Authority to scrap the service without any local consultation and for no good reason.The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons call on the Secretary of State for Transport to instruct the Strategic Rail Authority to maintain the popular and important direct train service between Wilmslow and London.And the Petitioners remain, etc.To lie upon the Table.