South East Northumberland train plans "just the ticket" - Lib Dems

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 6th Apr 2010

A plan by the Liberal Democrats to restore rail passenger services between Newcastle, Blyth and Ashington have been given the thumbs up by the party's two candidates in South East Northumberland.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Norman Baker, announced the plans as part of a package of green transport measures to boost jobs and the economy.

The plan will see regular commuter services return to the track through Blyth and Ashington which is currently only used for freight.

Blyth Valley candidate Jeff Reid and Wansbeck's Simon Reed said the plans were "just the ticket".

"This plan is part of the Liberal Democrats' vision of a greener economy," said Jeff who is hoping to beat Labour's Ronnie Campbell in Blyth Valley. "Our railways have been starved of investment by Labour for over a decade.

"We need to reverse the years of railway decline that have taken place under Labour and Conservative governments."

Simon Reed said, "Joining up Ashington with Newcastle for rail passenger services means a big boost to the local economy of the town. It also means a cut in pollution with fewer people having to travel by car between Ashington and Newcastle.

"I'm really excited about this plan. I now challenge Labour candidate for Wansbeck, Ian Lavery, to explain why his party have failed to back a return of rail passenger services to Ashington."