Restoring Your Railway Fund

The restoring your railway fund has provoked interest in north Staffordshire, where poor transport connectivity severely hinders employment and quality of life. Jack Brereton highlighted that a third of households in Stoke-on-Trent have no access to a car and public transport is non-existent or unreliable due to congestion. He noted the area's historical loss of rail services and proposed the reopening of Meir station, which could transform local communities by enhancing employment opportunities and reducing pollution. Intervenes to ask that projects such as Meir station are considered favourably for their potential to level up communities.

Commends the hon. Gentleman for securing this debate and emphasizes that it is crucial to invest in public transport to encourage people to use alternatives to cars and support environmental goals. He asserts that any reduction in railway lines is counterproductive.

Mr Gullis supports Mr Foster's initiative, highlighting that railway closures left many communities with no train services. He references the success of the Scottish Borders railway and emphasises the importance of providing new choices and opportunities for residents. Mr Gullis highlighted the £40 million transforming cities fund and £31.7 million for local bus services in Stoke-on-Trent, reducing day fares to £3.50. He discussed a feasibility study for restoring the Stoke to Leek line, noting its potential benefits such as improved education access, employment opportunities, tourism, road decongestion, and air quality improvements.

Congratulates his friend on leading this debate and highlights the importance of reopening lines such as Penrith to Keswick, Gilsland station, and extending the Borders railway through Longtown into Carlisle. He believes these projects can enhance economic opportunities, education access, and empower rural communities. Programmes such as reopening the Penrith to Keswick line, Gilsland station and extending the Borders railway through Longtown to Carlisle should be considered. The Government should take a two-pronged approach by restoring these links and holding Avanti West Coast accountable for poor service on the west coast main line.

Ferryhill station in his constituency was removed in 1964, and its closure is symptomatic of the need for regeneration and redevelopment. He argues that any consideration of railway bids should take into account the impact on local communities beyond just mathematical calculations.

Representing Darlington, the birthplace of railways, Peter Gibson discussed numerous railway-related issues in his constituency and highlighted the importance of restoring railway lines to unlock connectivity and economic opportunities. He mentioned £139 million Government investment for Bank Top station and efforts to secure funding for projects such as the Leamside line, Durham Dales line, and Consett to Tyne line. Gibson also addressed problems at North Road station and the need for better public transport in areas with low car ownership.

Richard Foord praised the Government's restoring your railway scheme for awarding £5 million to reopen Cullompton railway station. He highlighted that the reopening could reduce unemployment benefits costs by connecting Exeter's unemployed population with job opportunities in Cullompton and improve air quality through reduced traffic congestion.

Selaine Saxby discussed the challenges of rural transport in North Devon, highlighting the loss of the train line between Bideford and Barnstaple. She mentioned the growth in housing and resulting pressure on roads, advocating for a restored rail connection to alleviate congestion and connect communities with opportunities. The potential economic benefit was estimated at £43 billion. Saxby suggested exploring alternative routes that would directly link Barnstaple to Bideford.

In an intervention, Siobhan Baillie echoed Richard Foord's enthusiasm for railway restoration projects and noted the value of early investment understanding from Great Western Railway.

She highlighted the potential of the Stourbridge Dasher, a transformative project that would restore passenger services on a four-mile freight-only branch line and link it to the West Midlands Metro tramline extension. The initiative is supported by 87% of surveyed constituents and could bring significant economic benefits to deprived areas in the Black Country. Intervened briefly to make a comment that did not relate directly to the main debate topic.

The hon. Member highlights the lack of long-term strategy and under-delivery in rail funding, criticising the Government's execution of the 'restoring your railway' scheme as chaotic and failing to address major issues affecting UK rail.

Ms Crosbie highlighted the historical significance of the disused Gaerwen to Amlwch railway line in Wales, which closed under the Beeching cuts but remains largely intact today. She supported a feasibility study funded by the restoring your railway ideas fund and noted that re-establishing the line would cost £144 million for heavy rail or £93 million for light rail, while an active travel path could be deliverable at a lower cost. The Minister has set a deadline of April 2023 for making a decision on the project's future.