§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of privately owned railway lines there are in England and Wales; and whether this has increased or decreased in the last five years.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeInformation on total mileage is not readily available; in the last five years, 14 new privately-owned railways covering approximately 60 route miles, have been authorised by light railway orders granted by the Secretary of State under the Light Railways Acts. I am not aware of any light railways closing down during that period.