CANBER Statement Of Shared Aims

Campaign Against New Beeching Report (CANBER) has issued its Statement Of Shared Aims , which has been endorsed by the following organisations :

CAST.IRON
Eye On Manchester
Friends Of Suburban Bristol Railways
Ivybridge Rail Users Group
Oxford Bicester Rail Action Group
Ox Rail Action
Melksham Save The Train Campaign
More Train , Less Strain
no450 Campaign
Saltash Rail Users Group
Severn Tunnel Action Group
SOS - Save Our Stations
Stop The Train

Here is the full statement :

CANBER is :

A confederation of campaigning groups and individuals , united in the aim of preventing the closure of lines and stations , and securing / developing their future role as part of the rail network of the United Kingdom.

CANBER pledges to :

Come to the aid of those fighting the closure of a line or station , and provide all possible assistance.

Share any information that may help to prevent the closure of a line or station.

Promote the views of groups and individuals in the confederation pursuing the protection and development of the rail network of the United Kingdom.

CANBER believes :

That all station closure proposals should be opposed , except where the following applies :

- If the station serves a facility that's no longer operational , for example if a sports stadium is relocated , and no appropriate alternative use for the station , such as Park & Ride , is possible.

- If the station is replaced with a superior facility in the immediate area.

That the Railways Act 2005 should be amended to include legislation that blocks the closure of a line or station where significant local opposition to such a proposal exists.

That the role of rural railways as the lifelines of the communities they serve should be recognised and protected.

That small stations should be used as regenerative tools to foster development of the areas that they serve.

That where evidence of significant passenger usage growth exists , improved services should be provided.

That where evidence of significant passenger usage growth does not exist , innovative solutions should be found that stimulate such growth.

That increased seating capacity should be provided where required , so that passengers are not forced off the trains.

That fare increase proposals are rigorously scrutinised , so that passengers are not priced off the trains.

That all steps should be taken to minimise the cancellation of scheduled passenger train services.

That investment should be made in additional infrastructure capacity , so that passenger & freight train services can co - exist , and growth in both sectors can be accomodated.

That lines and stations should be built / re-opened where this is possible and can be reasonably justified.

That passengers have a right to travel , and staff have a right to work , in safety on all parts of the rail network of the United Kingdom.

That rail travel should be encouraged on economic , environmental and social grounds as part of a properly integrated public transport system that offers a real alternative to the car.

For more details visit our website at http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/actionnetwork/G1517 or email us at canber@hotmail.co.uk