HC Deb 30 November 1920 vol 135 cc1147-8W
Captain BROWN

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to reports in the Northern Press of considerable railway development in Northumberland; and if he can give any further particulars of the proposals?

Sir E. GEDDES

My attention has been called to an extract from the Newcastle "Daily Journal" of the 22nd November, which states that "the Ministry of Transport's project to link up Rothbury, Hedgeley, Ponteland, Scott's Gap, and Chollerton areas was the subject of much discussion amongst farmers at Berwick." It is incorrect to describe this project as emanating from the Ministry of Transport. A number of proposals for new railways in the County of Northumberland have recently been received by the Ministry of Transport from the Northumberland County Council, whose Reconstruction Committee have been investigating the matter. These proposals comprise three light railways:

  1. (1) Ponteland to Scott's Gap,
  2. (2) Rothbury to Hedgeley,
  3. (3) Darras Hall to Chollerton,
and the proposals are now under consideration by this Ministry in conjunction with the other Government Departments concerned.