§ 56. Mr. Carlisleasked the Minister of Transport what recommendations were made by the Central Transport Consultative Committee for the provision of extra trains between Helsby and Liverpool; and what action was taken by his Department as a result of those recommendations.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe Central Transport Consultative Committee recommended at their meeting on 6th June, 1967, that the Railways Board should provide an additional train from Helsby 281W to Liverpool at approximately 08.00 hours, and an additional train from Liverpool to Helsby at approximately 17.45 hours.
In considering this recommendation, my right hon. Friend's predecessor took into account the heavy losses already being made on this service and the additional cost of providing the extra trains. She felt that it would be wrong to take decisions about individual trains, which cannot be provided without additional expense, until the question of grant aiding the service under the provisions of the Transport Bill has been considered. She therefore did not give a direction to the Railways Board.
In the meantime, I understand that the Railways Board have provided a revised service via Rockferry giving Helsby passengers timings similar to those recommended and have arranged that the 17.40 London Pullman may set down Helsby and Frodsham passengers at Runcorn and that return tickets can be used on buses between Runcorn and Frodsham without extra charge.