FURURE OF RURAL RAILWAYS

Early day motion 268, tabled 1 December 2004 by Nick Harvey (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 24 members.

That this House notes the comments made by the Transport Secretary to BBC News on Monday 22nd November implying that rural rail services were in the business of carting fresh air around the country; believes that this constitutes a potentially serious threat to the long-term future of rural rail services; is concerned that these comments coincided with the Community Rail Development Strategy published the same day; welcomes those proposals in the strategy aimed at increasing passenger volume on rural lines; but calls on the Government to make a long term commitment to rural rail line services as part of an integrated strategy for the rail and transport network, aimed at reducing road traffic and pollution by promoting greater availability and use of public transport.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 16, Labour/Co-operative 3, Labour 2, Plaid Cymru 2, DUP 1.