HC Deb 26 May 1988 vol 134 cc281-2W
Mr. Cryer

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his statement in theOfficial Report, column 677, 16 May, what weight he gave to the Jarvis/PLC report on the Settle-Carlisle corridor in judging the potential of the Settle-Carlisle railway.

Mr. David Mitchell

I welcome the Jarvis report, which I have studied closely. It emphasises the essentially leisure and pleasure-orinented growth potential of this line.

Mr. Cryer

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, pursuant to his statement in theOfficial Report, column 677, 16 May, he will define those people whom he considered will suffer hardship if the Settle-Carlisle railway close; and what assessment he has made of the effects on users of the Dales rail trains.

Mr. David Mitchell

The Transport Users Consultative Committee's report advised that there would be various types of hardship if the line closed ranging from hardship to those unable to travel on steam and charter services to hardship to local people needing to travel for essential purposes. We have considerable sympathy for the latter and are seeking the TUCC's further advice on how best to mitigate such hardship by the provision of guaranteed bus services. We shall take into account the TUCC's advice on routes and timing. We shall also take into account any new evidence on hardship before taking the final decision.

Mr. Cryer

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his statement of 16 May,Official Report, column 677, whether there was any implied or expressed agreement that the local authorities supporting the Settle-Carlisle line were required to provide £500,000 capital expenditure to ensure retention of the line.

Mr. David Mitchell

No.