§ Sir N. Cooper-Keyasked the Minister of Transport whether she is aware of the concern of users of the London to Hastings railway line concerning proposed closures, and that a closure decision would affect the economic stability of the local coastal area; what proposals for closure of this line she has received from the Railways Board; and whether she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SwinglerMy right hon. Friend has received no proposals for the closure of the London to Hastings railway.
The Board included the Tunbridge Wells Central to Hastings line in the modification section of their Reshaping Report and listed the stations at Frant, Wadhurst, Stonegate, Mountfield Halt and Crowhurst for closure to passengers. If the Board wish to bring these proposals forward they will first ask her permission to publish them. She would then consider whether, on a broad view of their implications for regional planning, publication was acceptable. In doing so she would seek the comments of the Economic Planning Council for the South East.