HC Deb 16 April 1919 vol 114 cc2926-7W
Major WARING

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the inhabitants of Dunston, numbering 12,000 and 15,000 in the immediate neighbourhood, who use the station, are dissatisfied with the action of the North Eastern Railway Company in refusing to re-open Dunston railway station for passenger traffic now that hostilities have ceased and the congestion on the line has been eased; whether he is aware that inconvenience is suffered by workmen numbering 5,000 who are unable to proceed to their destinations otherwise than by a restricted tramway service, and that business men are likewise inconvenienced; and whether, in view of the size and importance of Dunston. he will take steps to secure the reopening of this station for passenger traffic as in pre-war days?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I much regret the inconvenience caused by the closing of this station, but I am afraid that I cannot add to the explanation of the present position of the matter already given in letters addressed to the hon. and gallant Gentleman on the 8th and 24th March, and in my reply of the 1st April to a question by the hon. Member for the Bishop Auckland Division of Durham.

Mr. RAWLINSON

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the number of invalids anxious to travel to Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, during the summer months, and to the inconvenience of there being no train from London after the 1.45 slow train, the Railway Executive Committee will make arrangements that a through carriage be attached to the 4 p. m. fast train from King's Cross, and that the train be continued from Boston and Woodhall Spa and Horncastle as it was before the War, or that at all events such carriage should be run through on at least two days a week?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I am communicating with the Great Northern Railway Company on this matter, and will let my hon. and learned Friend know the result.