LIBERAL DEMOCRATS' RAIL IMPROVEMENTS WOULD ROLL BACK BEECHING (Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats)

Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats <info@saffronwaldenlibdems.org.uk>

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS' RAIL IMPROVEMENTS WOULD ROLL BACK BEECHING

November 12, 2008 9:31 PM

Railway needs to be integrated The Liberal Democrats have published a list of railway lines and stations to be reopened in a reversal of the Beeching rail cuts in return for longer franchises for train operating companies.

The list of some 70 schemes includes improvements to the line from Liverpool Street to Cambridge and Ely. The number of tracks would be doubled between Tottenham Hale and Broxbourne, an extra platform would be built at Cambridge to ease congestion, and there would be extra tracks at Ely.

Lines and stations would be reopened in other parts of the country and many lines would be electrified.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat councillor for Stansted, Alan Dean, said: "The local rail network in creaking from old age and passenger overload. People are fed up being treated like cattle. Investment now would boost public transport use, cut carbon emissions and give a much needed kick to a flagging economy. I shall be asking Essex County Council, the local transport authority, to put its back behind these proposals."

Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, Norman Baker MP, said:

"Passengers are paying more and more every year for rail travel but are rewarded with overcrowded carriages and delays. The Government has an opportunity to change this."