HC Deb 18 January 1972 vol 829 cc158-60W
Mr. Edward Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many passenger rail services operated by British Rail are grant-aided under the Transport Act; if he will list the particular services for which grant aid was terminated with effect from 31st December, 1971; and if he will outline the arrangements for financing these former grant-aided services in the future.

Mr. Peyton

193 services and the London commuter network are currently grant-aided. Grant-aid terminated at the end of 1971 for the Wareham-Swanage, Oldham-Rochdale, Huddersfield-Wakefield (local) and Chesterfield-Sheffield (local) services. Any finance still required for any of these services is now a matter for the British Railways Board.

Mr. Edward Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy on the future of grant aid for passenger rail services under the Transport Act.

Mr. Peyton

Each service will continue to be considered carefully on its merits.

Mr. Edward Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the passenger rail services which have been proposed for closure; and if he will indicate what decision he has come to in respect of these services.

Mr. Peyton

Following is the information:

Proposals for closures of passenger railway services by British Rail and London Passenger Transport Board have been considered, and decisions have been made, since June, 1970. as follows:

  1. (a) Unconditional consent to closure
    • Liverpool (Lime Street)—Southport.
    • Oldham (Mumps)—Rochdale.
    • Aschurch Station.
    • Beattock Station.
    • Brent Knoll Station.
    • Chislet Colliery Station.
  2. (b) Consent subject to conditions
    • Alton—Winchester.
    • Exeter—Okehampton.
    • Inverness—Kyle of Lochalsh.
    • Keswick—Carlisle.
  3. (c) Refusal of consent
    • Wrexham Central Station—Wrexham Exchange Signal Box.
  4. (d) Still under consideration
    • Bedford (St. Johns)—Bletchley.
    • Birmingham (Snow Hill)—Langley Green.
    • Birmingham (Snow Hill)—Wolverhampton Low Level.
    • Bury—Rawtenstall.
    • Colchester—Sudbury.
    • Haltwhistle—Alston.
    • Leeds/Bradford—Ilkley.
    • Bradford—Keighley.
    • Liverpool Central (High Level)—Gateacre.
    • Machynlleth—Pwllheli (Cambrian Coast).
    • Maiden Newton—Bridport.
    • Neasden—Northolt (diversion of service from Marylebone to Paddington).
    • Paignton—Kingswear.
    • Romford—Upminster.
    • Watford—Croxley Green.
    • Epping—Ongar (London Passenger Transport Board).
    • East Brixton Station.
    • Stevenage Station (resiting of station).

Mr. Edward Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of the additional sums recently made available for infrastructure capital schemes in Scotland will be spent on the improvement of railway services in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peyton

I am discussing with the Railways Board what possibility there is for bringing forward some of its investment projects, including projects in Scotland.

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