§ Lord Inglewoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they plan to accept the proposal by the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line to provide up to £25,000 support for an early morning service rather than the proposal to operate: a more expensive service because of the constraints imposed by the remodelling of the station at Skipton; and if not, why not.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish)It is for BR's North-East train operating unit to decide whether or not to take up the offer made by the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle line for 1994–95. We understand, however, that because of engineering work at Skipton it would only be possible to operate the proposed early morning services in 1994–95 at a much higher cost than £25,000. My right honourable friend Mr. Roger Freeman plans to meet the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line and other interested groups during the summer to explore ways of attracting more passengers onto the line.