Rail campaign gathers pace

4:06pm Tuesday 11th March 2008

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CAMPAIGNERS pushing for the reintroduction of an historic railway link between York and Beverley are hoping Government ministers will further their cause after a parliamentary debate today.

Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, and a long-time supporter of the Minsters' Rail Campaign (MRC), was due to raise the issue during an adjournment debate in parliament attended by ministers.

A spokesman for the MRC said transport in the region was to be "centre stage" during the debate.

George McManus, chairman of the MRC, said ministers would need to listen while Mr Stuart and other MPs put the case forward for increased spending on transport in the region.

Mr McManus said a feasibility study published by East Riding of Yorkshire Council showed that a reopened railway would be economic and would make a positive impact on regeneration in the area.

He said: "We very much look forward to this debate, as engaging with parliamentarians will be key to our success.

"We hope the ministers will be persuaded of the veracity of our case."

He said the campaigners had recently seen further evidence of the "shocking toll" being taken by the A1079 road - and that they were convinced that reopening the line would help alleviate that.

Mr Stuart said: "East Riding of Yorkshire Council commissioned a study in 2004 that showed reopening the line would have a positive cost benefit outcome.

"And yet last year, in another debate I secured, the then transport minister said that the Government had no intention of taking it forward, so this is just part of a long campaign to get a fairer funding deal for Yorkshire.

"That road from Beverley to York is an inadequate road that needs investment, and a potential railway line which is cost effective can contribute to the regeneration of Hull and this whole area."

A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: "Reopening old lines is not necessary to meet the growth in demand for rail travel.

"However, local authorities can fund line reopenings if they believe this is the best way of addressing local transport issues."