HC Deb 22 February 1988 vol 128 c72W
35. Mr. Waller

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he now expects to make an announcement about the future of the Settle to Carlisle railway.

Mr. David Mitchell

As soon as all necessary consultations are complete.

Mr. Cryer

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current local authority contribution to(a) the provision of the diesel multiple unit service on the Settle to Carlisle railway, (b) the upkeep and maintenance of the line, (c) the advertising and publicity of the line and (d) express passenger services; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Mitchell

I understand that during 1987–88 local authorities have contributed about £70,000 in general revenue support for the line (not attributable to individual services) and nothing towards the upkeep and maintenance of the infrastructure of the line, although some parish councils do give some general assistance towards the upkeep and general tidiness of their local stations. I also understand that local authorities contributed about £9,000 towards publicity for the line in 1987. During the next two financial years, revenue support from local authorities is expected to rise to about £130,000 if the line is retained. I have asked each authority to consider carefully the level of support it should give to the line—towards both the costs of operations and the cost of repairing the Ribblehead viaduct — in view of the importance it attaches to retaining it.