LibDems plan major expansion of rail network

The Liberal Democrats have published proposals to reopen a significant part of the former railway network, as part of new railway investment worth £3 billion. The party said it would be the 'biggest rail expansion since the Victorians', but the RAC Foundation has criticised the idea.

The party will set up a Rail Expansion Fund from which councils and transport authorities will be able to bid for money to pay for rail improvement and expansion projects.

This fund will come from cuts to the major roads budget.

Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said it would be a transformation.

He said: “Labour has allowed the railways to wither on the vine and punished passengers with huge fare hikes while more polluting forms of transport have got cheaper. All the while, the Tories have been sharpening the axe they will take to the transport budget.

“High speed rail is hugely important, but it is only part of the 21st century rail network Britain needs. Our plans will reopen thousands of miles of track across the country and make our railway great again.”

The list of lines includes reinstatement of the former Southern main line between Exeter and Plymouth, by closing the current gap between Bere Alston and Okehampton. Other places which would benefit include Ilkeston, Kidlington, Wantage, Corsham, Middlewich, Ashington, Blyth, Washington and Skelmersdale.

The party is also contemplating restoration of the remaining section of the Waverley route between Tweedbank and Carlisle, plus further electrification.

But Professor Sephen Glaister of the RAC Foundation responded: “To start cutting the roads budget to expand rail services is unlikely to be the best use of scarce taxpayers' money either in financial terms or by way of serving the vast majority of the population.

“The public liability does not just end once new lines are constructed. Rail services are heavily subsidised by the Exchequer.”