Railway Station Closures

HC Deb 18 March 1994 vol 239 cc863-4W

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement in respect of the railway stations to be withdrawn from service during 1994.

Mr. Freeman

Currently, British Rail has proposed the closure of 14 stations under the Transport Act 1962. The proposals are at various stages in the statutory procedure. British Rail is considering proposing a further two stations for closure under the 1962 Act.

From 1 April, responsibility for bringing forward closure proposals will rest with the operator or the Franchising Director. The rail regulator will be responsible for deciding whether or not the closure should be permitted. Appeals against the regulator's decision can be made to the Secretary of State I am not aware of any plans at present to propose the closure, under the Railways Act 1993, of any station used for passenger services.