§ Sir J. LEIGHasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that the stations of Wandsworth Road and Clapham, on the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway, are still closed, with the result that the people of these large and populous districts, who have thus been deprived of the use of the railway, are suffering great inconvenience, and that, as a consequence of the closing of the stations, a large amount of additional traffic is diverted to the tramway and motor-omnibus services, which has involved a large increase in the number of street accidents; and whether, in the public interest, he will recommend the railway company to re-open the stations?
§ Mr. NEALWhile the closing of the stations on the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway has resulted in the diversion of a large amount of traffic to the tramway and omnibus services, the facilities provided by these services have been considerably improved. I am not aware that this has, as suggested, involved any increase in the number of street accidents. The question of the reopening of these stations has been fully considered on many occasions, and I do not think any useful purpose would be served by approaching the railway company in the1284W manner suggested. In coming to a decision the railway companies were influenced by the cost of reopening as against the additional receipts which may be expected, and the fact that, as the lines are generally speaking fully occupied, the reopening of the closed stations would reduce railway facilities for longer distance traffic.