REVERSE BEECHING, SAYS MARTIN (Cheltenham Liberal Democrats)

Cheltenham Liberal Democrats <info@cheltlibdems.org.uk>

REVERSE BEECHING, SAYS MARTIN

January 22, 2008 3:51 PM

50 years on, it's time to undo the damage done to our railways by Dr Beeching said Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood today. Quizzing ministers at the Department for Transport Question Time in the House of Commons today he highlighted a 17% growth in local traffic and asked why more new railway line hadn't been opened in Britain since 2001 and called for a reversal in the historic shift from rail to road started by Dr Beeching.

Martin first question to ministers asked how many miles of new roads and railway had been opened since 2001.

In reply he reminded the government that 21% of UK carbon emissions came from domestic transport and that this was set to increase, condemned the government's failure to promote new railways instead and urged them to consider reverse the trend set by Beeching.

Dr Beeching's report 'The Reshaping of the British Railways' was published in 1963 and led to the closure of Cheltenham's St.James's station and the Honeybourne Line.

Commenting afterwards Martin added:

'50 years ago Dr Beeching's report was instrumental in shifting transport away from the railways and onto the roads. He decimated the local railway system in Gloucestershire and across the UK. He didn't know about climate change of course, but we do now and we need to start an equally historic shift back on to the railways. We need to start thinking seriously about new local railway options such as a light railway linking Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bishop's Cleeve and even on to Stratford. This is a great example of a green policy that could change all our lives for the better. Rail travel is less stressful, more enjoyable and more environmentally friendly. We shouldn't be forcing people out of their cars; we should be seducing them by making public transport more accessible and convenient!'

In a second question, he highlighted the 17% growth increase in Gloucestershire's traffic between 1997 and 2006. The average for England is 12%. 'We can all see what's happening in front of our own eyes with roads more and more congested' said Martin. 'It's time for government to rethink its transport strategy and give us all more alternatives.'