Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damien Moore and Grant Shapps

Thursday 3rd February 2022 Commons Chamber

[Sara Britcliffe (Hyndburn) (Con)]

13. What steps he is taking to restore previously closed rail lines.

[The Secretary of State for Transport (Grant Shapps)]

We are committed to reversing the Beeching cuts and reopening railways through our £500 million restoring your railway fund. I was pleased to reopen the first such line—the Dartmoor line—in November 2021.

[Damien Moore]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that restoring the Burscough Curves link, which would connect Southport with Preston and up to Glasgow via the west coast main line, should be a priority for the Government, both to demonstrate the levelling-up agenda and connect all regions of our great United Kingdom?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damien Moore and Grant Shapps

Thursday 30th January 2020 Commons Chamber

[Grant Shapps]

We share the same ambition, and I hope the hon. Gentleman will join us in welcoming the Williams rail review which, among other things, will do so much to devolve more power to local communities.

[Damien Moore (Southport) (Con)]

18.   Historically, one of the greatest areas of disparity is between our cities and our regional seaside towns, such as Southport. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the reopening of the Burscough curves line would not only give Southport rail users greater access to the network, but contribute significantly to our tourist and retail economies?

[Grant Shapps]

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend and pay tribute to him for his doughty campaigning for the reopening of that line. Members across the House should have received a letter inviting them to a Beeching event here in the House on 4 February at which they can find out how to apply for schemes in their constituencies.