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YORKSHIRE M.P.'s NEW BILL ON RAIL CLOSURES?
Page 49
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From our Political Correspondent CIR ALEXANDER SPEARMAN, kJ Tory M.P. for Scarborough and Whitby, is to seek leave in the Commons on February 9 to introduce a Bill to enable the Transport Minister to rescind consent to the closure of any railway station or passenger service. Sir Alexander is acting on the statement of the Transport Minister, who said in November that he had been advised he had no powers under the 1962 Transport Act to withdraw any consent already given, or insist on the restoration of any services withdrawn:
Whether Mr. Fraser and the Government will wish to accept the powers Sir Alexander is seeking for them is a delicate point. Up to now, the decisions of Mr. Marples have been gisen as the reasons why no action can be taken on the demands of M.P.s that lines should be re-opened—including the MallonScarborough-Whitby line which Sir Alexander is concerned about.
What Mr. Fraser has done is to indicate to the railways that future closures approved by him may carry the proviso that the track be left down, so that re-opening can take place if later developments demand it. This would amount to a conditional consent, and would be far less costly than opening the door to demands for the re-introduction of many services already axed.
Sir Alexander will present his case to the Commons in a 10-minute speech. Any M.P. can oppose him, also in a speech, and it will then be for the House to decide whether his Rill cart at least be presented. A second move in connection with the possible closure of lines in the Whitby (Yorks) area—one concerning the application of United Automobile Services Ltd. to the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners, submitted at the end of December for alternative bus services from the expected rail closure date of March 8, —has been made.
A former Scarborough man, now living in Manchester, Mr. Roger H. Smith, said recently that he was going to object to United's application in the area, on the grounds of unsuitable roads; impracticable timings; effect of weather conditions; scarcity of duplicate vehicles; lack of waiting accommodation; insufficient luggage space; lack of separate non-smoking accommodation arid of toilet facilities, and, lack of proposed services for minor routes.