§ Sir M. Stoddart-Scottasked the Minister of Transport if he will consider, now that the railway line in the Wharfe Valley from Arthington to Ilkley has been closed, using the land that has now become available for a road so that Poole in Wharfedale, Otley and Burley in Wharfedale can be by-passed.
§ Mr. Tom FraserThe line between Arthington and the junction with the Leeds-Ilkley line has been closed to passenger services but is still open to freight services. I understand that the Board plans to withdraw these later this year.
If the Board wishes to dispose of the track thereafter it will first have to seek my agreement so that I can consider whether or not it should be retained on planning grounds. The question of using the land for specific purposes does not therefore arise at present.