Beith: "We need clarity on train proposals"

12.00.00pm GMT Tue 26th Jan 2010

Berwick MP Sir Alan Beith has claimed that the Transport Minister is creating total confusion on future north east train services, with the Government-owned Network Rail and East Coast companies proposing cuts in the services from Berwick, Alnmouth and Morpeth while he himself is consulting on increased services.

The Liberal Democrat MP said

"On the one hand we have Lord Adonis claiming that there will be extra services for Alnmouth, Berwick and Morpeth - but at the same time the proposed timetable for December 2010 shows fewer services calling at our stations and a reduction in the number of through trains to and from Glasgow. The proposed new timetable doesn't properly meet the needs of Berwick and Alnmouth because some of the attempts to speed up trains are taking away stops at our stations and creating gaps in the service.

"Yet Lord Adonis has said that the franchise from 2011 will require there to be more services as well as a non-stop service from Newcastle to London. We need clarity on what is being actually being proposed.

"I am putting pressure on Ministers and the train operating companies to ensure that any changes to the timetable, and to the requirements of the franchise for the East Coast Main Line, retain or improve the services we currently have.

"It is very important that people in Northumberland do not lose a good train service in order to save a few minutes on the journey from Edinburgh to London. I am pressing ministers and the train companies to get this right."

Sir Alan has also added his backing to a Parliamentary motion calling on the Government to ensure that that there will continue to be regular direct services from London King's Cross and north east stations to Glasgow.