Beith and Moore: East Coast Main Line nationalisation must not affect Berwick rail services

3.30.00pm GMT Tue 3rd Nov 2009

MPs Mike Moore and Sir Alan Beith have been working together to protect rail services at Berwick.

Local Liberal Democrat MPs Michael Moore and Sir Alan Beith have repeated their demand that rail services to and from Berwick upon Tweed will not be amended except to be improved while the line is under public ownership, following confirmation that east coast mainline services are to be nationalised in December.

Internal briefing documents released this morning have shown that transport officials expect that the East Coast Mainline will be operated by the Government for at least 18 months.

Speaking in the House of Commons in July after the Government's plans for the nationalisation of the East Coast franchise were announced, Mr Moore raised concerns over the impact of this change on rail users in Berwickshire and, along with Sir Alan, has secured a meeting with officials at the Department for Transport to discuss the future of the ECML.

Commenting, Mr Moore said:

"As there are no stations in the 1,500 square miles of the Borders at present, the east coast main line and the station at Berwick upon Tweed are of great strategic importance to many of my constituents.

"Ministers must ensure that services to and from Berwick are not diminished while the line is under Government control, and use the opportunity afforded by this period of public ownership to take action on other longstanding issues of concern such as ticket pricing."

Sir Alan Beith added:

"I have also raised concerns about proposed amendments to the timetable which show a reduction in services from December 2010. I will be discussing this with Ministers and ensure we keep at least the current level or more services calling at Berwick upon Tweed.

"Berwick station is vital not only to the town but to a wide area on both sides of the border."