ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF RAIL TRANSPORT

Early day motion 274, tabled 17 June 2010 by Iain Stewart (Conservative). Signed by 113 members.

That this House recognises that Britain relies on rail transport; notes that every year 1.3 billion passenger journeys are made by rail and that rail freight carries 100 million tonnes of goods; further recognises that at peak times the busiest parts of the rail network are full, trains are overcrowded and that passenger and freight demand continue to grow; notes that the annual cost of road congestion to the economy is already estimated to be £7-8 billion; believes that investment in infrastructure is necessary to stimulate business investment in Britain's towns and cities and boost economic recovery; further recognises that current major rail capacity enhancement projects bring economic benefits to Britain; and calls on the Government to consider the economic benefits of rail schemes when determining value for money projects in the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Signatures by party: Labour 70, Conservative 21, Liberal Democrat 16, Plaid Cymru 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, DUP 1, Green 1.