A relatively little-known section of the current Railways Bill causes concern. It will "streamline" the procedures for rail closures.
At present regional rail passenger committees have a statutory duty to report on the "passenger hardship" which would result from any closure. These would be abolished under the Bill.
The Bill makes no mention of public hearings or hardship. Ministers will no longer have to consult local rail passengers.
The Bill could be back in the Commons by mid-January for completion by the end of the month, so if readers wish to lobby their MP against this legislation there is no time to waste.
The same Bill provides for many of these lines to be passed to local Community Rail Partnerships.
If those local authorities and businesses can't make a go of them soon, then clearly the lines may be shut. Those partnerships will carry the blame - not the Government of the day.
Philip Taylor,
Strother Close,
Pocklington.
Updated: 11:17 Tuesday, December 21, 2004
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