§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy not to agree to franchise extensions for train operating companies where such proposals involve the closure of(a) stations and (b) lines. [84425]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonAt the Rail Summit on 25 February 1999, we made it clear that renegotiations must deliver substantial passenger benefits and value for the taxpayer; and we set out a number of criteria that will have to be satisfied. The closure of stations and lines does not figure in these criteria and is subject to an extensive statutory procedure under the Railways Act 1993.