§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to involve non-metropolitan local authorities in the franchising of rail services following the privatisation of British Rail.
§ Mr. FreemanWe propose to incorporate in the Secretary of State's statutory guidance to the Franchising Director the following
Outside PTE areas you should consult such representatives of local government as appear to you to be appropriate about the pattern of services and the quality of services to be provided through franchising. In your consultations you should seek to agree practical arrangements which will provide for effective mutual communication between local authorities and franchisees. You should also include within franchise agreements a requirement for franchisees to take reasonable steps to keep the local authorities for the areas served by their franchised services informed of significant intended changes to the pattern of franchised services. These arrangements must be implemented in such a way as to place the minimum burden on franchisees. I would expect local authorities to consult you before formally adopting plans and policies dealing with the role of passenger rail services in their areas.