§ Mr. Brewisasked the Minister of Transport, consequent on the closing of the Stranraer-Dumfries line, what provision will be made for alternative transport facilities for passengers in the New Luce and New Galloway areas.
§ Mr. MarplesThere are two buses each way on Saturdays between New Luce and Stranraer; I have accepted the view of the Transport Users Consultative Committee that no material hardship would be caused by the lack of an alternative service for the handful of passengers on other days.
New Galloway itself, which is not on the railway, is served by buses between Glasgow and Castle Douglas, but these run down the opposite side of Loch Ken to the village of Mossdale near New Galloway station which has a bus service only on Saturdays. In view of the weight of objections from local users, I have made it a condition of my consent to the closure that the Rail- 92W ways Board make arrangements to my satisfaction for access by such users to alternative public transport facilities. The Board are considering whether this can best be done by providing a safe footway over the Loch Ken viaduct or by other means.