Transport and the Economy

Debate between Karen Bradley and Andrea Leadsom

Tuesday 28th February 2012 Commons Chamber

[Karen Bradley]

That is exactly what Moorlands and City Railways wishes to do. It would like passenger trains to return to Staffordshire Moorlands for the first time since the line was officially closed in, I think, the 1950s. There is a problem, though: part of the line extension would involve relaying track to the village of Alton to provide access to Alton Towers by train. In theory, that is a good idea, but that part of the country is an area of outstanding natural beauty and the residents along the railway track are very concerned about the proposal. Although I can see the benefits of getting traffic off the roads, it has to be done sympathetically.

[Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con)]

Does my hon. Friend agree that such consideration for areas of outstanding natural beauty should be taken into account for all train systems, or does she limit her remarks to Staffordshire Moorlands?

[Karen Bradley]

I fear that my hon. Friend’s question might be related to a certain high-speed line, which is something that I was going to touch on briefly.