§ Mrs. Ann CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to improve the consultative process conducted by British Railways Board prior to the selling off of disused railway land, including track bed and goods yards. [43614]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThis is primarily a matter for the British Railways Board (BRB), which has held discussions with Railtrack, EWS and others about general sales and individual sites. BRB also routinely sends out auction brochures in advance to Railtrack, EWS, Freightliner, local authorities and a wide range of other interested parties.
BRB has held discussions with Railtrack about the disposal of former railway lines, as a result of which negotiations to transfer another six lengths have begun. Other closed lines are the subject of discussions about transfer to local authorities or railway preservation societies, or have been leased to Sustrans, the cycling charity, for the National Cycle Network (with the potential for future rail use preserved). That leaves BRB with about 70 miles of trackbed in more than 100 separate sites.
BRB welcomes approaches from railway businesses or other interested parties who wish to discuss general sales or individual sites.