§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what provision exists for public subsidy to promote the reinstatement of a train service between Southport and Preston utilising the Burscough Curves. [5958]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonAs with all "new" services, it would be a matter for the sponsoring body to liaise with Railtrack, the train operating company and any other interested party, for example the relevant local authority, to establish whether such a scheme was viable. The Franchising Director has powers to designate services as experimentals for a period of up to five years. At the end of that time, the Franchising Director would decide whether he was prepared to provide financial support if necessary to secure the continued provision of the service.