LIBERAL DEMOCRAT POLICY ON RAILWAY RE-OPENINGS

Early day motion 983, tabled 22 March 2005 by Gordon Prentice (Labour). Signed by 12 members.

That this House recalls the honourable Member for Pendle's Adjournment Debate on 12th January on the campaign to re-open the Colne to Skipton railway, which was closed in the 1970s; further recalls him telling the House that the Liberal Democrat Leader of Pendle Council, Alan Davies, last year described re-instatement as a pipe dream, while his colleague, Councillor Tony Greaves, said the proposal was a non-starter; notes with quiet satisfaction that a motion to be moved at Pendle Council on 31st March by Councillor David Whipp on behalf of the Liberal Democrats now calls for the re-instatement of the line after years spent ridiculing and scoffing at those working to bring back the railway; and pays tribute to the persuasive powers of Andy Shackleton, David Magnall, David Burton, Roy St Pierre and everyone associated with the Skipton East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership for their role in changing Liberal Democrat policy.

Signatures by party: Labour 11, Conservative 1.