§ 2.51 p.m.
§ Lord GainfordMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper. I wish to apologise for an error that has appeared. The name of the tunnel concerned is Woodhead, and not Wardhead as appears on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any information on the proposed closure by British Rail of the Woodhead tunnel line between Manchester and Sheffield and what possibilities exist for a public inquiry to be held on the matter.
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, the British Railways Board announced on 7th October that they had decided to withdraw freight services from the Manchester/Sheffield/Wath line—that is the Woodhead tunnel route—from 1st June 1981. Since only freight services are involved, ministerial consent is not required to the closure, and there is no provision for a public inquiry.
§ Lord GainfordMy Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for those facts. Is he aware that not many years ago British Rail went to vast expense boring a completely new tunnel through the Pennines at that site, electrifying it and laying track that would take wagons with European containers? The line is also used as a detour when other tunnels through the Pennines are under repair. Finally, if it is absolutely decided beyond all question that the line must be closed, is it possible that the track can remain, together with the electrification equipment, so that the line can be reactivated in the future?
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, the system of electrification on the Woodhead route is already outdated; it was actually put in in the early 1950s. I am informed that there has been no expense on the tunnel, other than routine expense, since that time. As the electrification is now outdated it is in need of renewal, and this would cost about £23 million. It is in view of this that the Railways Board have decided on the closure of this route, which will save them some £2.5 million a year; and I believe that this is the best option.
§ Viscount SidmouthMy Lords, can the noble Earl the Minister say whether the decision to abandon the line between Sheffield and Wath indicates that all hope has been given up of recovering the traffic which caused this line to be opened as recently as the 1950s?
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, if I heard the noble Viscount right, he said Sheffield and Wath. This has nothing to do with the Hadfield/Penistone line about which the Question is asked.
§ Viscount SidmouthWith respect, my Lords, that is the section of line which contains the Woodhead tunnel between Sheffield and Wath.
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, I have a map in front of me and there is a lovely station called Hadfield, another called Penistone, and another called Wath, which is where the Woodhead tunnel is. You then turn right for Rotherham to get to Sheffield. With all respect to the noble Viscount, I do not think he is correct.
§ The Earl of KinnoullMy Lords, in view of possible further closures on the railway system, can my noble friend confirm that in each case there will be a public inquiry before any closure takes place?
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, the answer to that is that when a passenger service is affected there is a public inquiry. When a freight service is affected there is not a public inquiry.