HC Deb 21 October 2003 vol 411 cc496-8
7. Andy Burnham (Leigh)

What assessment he has made of the need to increase rail services and stations in the north-west. [132966]

The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Alistair Darling)

Some service frequencies will increase under the new TransPennine Express franchise. Bidders for the new Northern franchise have been asked to consider matching services better to demand. However, there are no specific proposals for new stations.

Andy Burnham

Can I share with my right hon. Friend and the House the analysis of a local railway enthusiast in my constituency? Leigh is the largest town not just in Britain but in Europe without a railway station. While Dr. Beeching has made it difficult to bring one back, it is vital that the Northern franchise brings one to nearby Golborne. Will my right hon. Friend give me and the 40 pupils from Lowton West primary school—a mere stone's throw from the proposed station—who are visiting today, an assurance that he will do all that he can to bring a new rail station to Golborne?

Mr. Darling

As I said a moment ago, the bidders for the new Northern franchise have submitted their bids, which are currently being evaluated. All of us want to ensure that we have a better and more reliable railway, but we will have to see what is possible. I am quite sure that if my hon. Friend wished to do so, it would be possible for him to discuss the matter with my Minister of State.

Mrs. Patsy Calton (Cheadle)

While the Secretary of State is considering Leigh, will he also consider Cheadle district centre in my constituency, which has long needed a railway station and, indeed, has space for one?

Mr. Darling

I never cease to marvel at the Liberals' capacity to demand more spending without supporting a way of dealing with the problem—[Interruption.] The difference is that my hon. Friend the Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham) supports everything that the Government are doing, including the funding of the railways. Our objective is to improve services within Stockport and the Greater Manchester area. I remind the hon. Lady that there is substantial investment in the west coast main line which, of course, benefits Stockport. On Cheadle, I cannot make any promises, but of course we will keep the matter under review.

Mr. Graham Stringer (Manchester, Blackley)

My right hon. Friend will be aware that approximately £750 million is spent on local rail services in Greater Manchester in north-west England. Does he think that the way in which that money is spent should be determined locally, not nationally? We would get better solutions to local transport problems, partly caused by bus deregulation, if that money was spent locally.

Mr. Darling

It was Manchester that came to the Government asking for additional funding for light rail. If it was proposing to fund it all itself, my hon. Friend might have a point. All of us are concerned that the prices now being quoted for light rail schemes have increased quite dramatically and unreasonably. If there is to be more light rail, it is important that the costs for those projects come down. They have increased to a large extent because, frankly, many of the people interested in this have decided to quote prices which I do not think that even they believe are realistic.

I want to see more light rail—the Manchester scheme has been an outstanding success—but it is essential to control costs. People who are bidding for such schemes should be aware that the Government do not take the view that we provide light rail, or anything else, at any price—prices must be controlled.