§ 50. Mr. Priorasked the Minister of Transport how many miles of railway line outlined for closure in the Beeching Plan have been closed; and how many have been reprieved; what proportion of closure proposals outlined in the Report have been submitted to the transport users' consultative committees; and how many cases are at present under consideration by his Department.
§ Mr. MarplesThe Railways Board have published some 60 per cent. of the passenger service closure and modification proposals in the Reshaping Report. All but one have been opposed and are therefore the subject of reports on hardship by the Committees. I have consented to 64 proposals (including 10 individual stations) and refused 9, and I have 97 proposals under consideration. Passenger services have been withdrawn from 305 miles of line and consent has been refused to the withdrawal of services from 242 miles.