§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the fact that there is a statutory duty placed upon local authorities to consult with the appropriate representative bodies before initiating schemes of road traffic management, if he will, at the earliest possible stage, consult with appropriate bodies including the local authority associations, whenever decisions affecting the future character of the national rail network fall to be considered.
§ Mr. PeytonI always carry out such consultations as are appropriate.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a general direction to British Railways that regional executives should consult at an 272W early stage with local authorities whenever proposals are made likely to affect the structure or level of local services.
§ Mr. PeytonNo. But I expect local authorities and public transport operators, including British Rail, to work closely together.