HC Deb 04 March 1964 vol 690 cc225-6W
47. Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give details of the improvements to road services that are being undertaken in Scotland in connection with proposed railway closures.

Mr. Marples

In seven of the ten cases in which I yesterday announced my consent to closure of rail passenger services in Scotland, my consent is conditional on the provision of additional bus services. The following are the details:

(a) Langholm-Riddings Junction service

Additional bus services between Langholm and Carlisle with an extension to Carlisle Citadel railway station.

(b) Berwick-St. Boswells

Additional bus services twice a day each way on Monday-Friday between Kelso and St. Bosewells via Roxburgh, Rutherford and Maxton.

(c) Kilmarnock-Ardrossan

Bus services to be augmented to carry passengers displaced from rail.

(d) Reston Station (Edinburgh-Berwick local service)

Bus in the morning from Reston village to Berwick, and return bus in the evening.

(e) East Linton Station (Edinburgh-Dunbar local services)

A limited stop bus to Edinburgh in the morning and back in the evening.

(f) Whistle field Halt (Craigendoran-Arrochar local service)

Morning bus from Arrochar to Garelochhead to provide a connection onwards with a morning train from Helensburgh to Glasgow.

(g) Fraserburgh-St. Combs

Closure of this service will not be permitted before 1st May, 1965 to allow time for certain roadworks to be completed. Then additional bus services will have to be provided to give at least 12 services a day each way between Fraserburgh and St. Combs.

61. Mr. Bottomley

asked the Minister of Transport what improvements in road services are being made to compensate for the railway closures in the North Riding of Yorkshire.

Mr. Marples

Since the Railways Board's Reshaping Report was published, the only consent I have given to the closure of rail passenger services in the North Riding is for the Nunthorpe—Guisborough service. My consent was conditional on the provision of extra bus services between Middlesbrough and Guisborough, calling at Hutton Gate station. This will secure four buses in the morning to Middlesbrough and three to Guisborough in the afternoon and evening, with an additional mid-day bus to Guisborough on Saturdays.

Dr. King

asked the Minister of Transport what reply he has sent to the letter from the Southern Regional Council of the Labour Party on the proposed closure of the Isle of Wight Railways.

Mr. Marples

I have received no letter from the council, but I understand that it has written to the Chairman of the British Railways Board.

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