Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Andy Reed (Labour). It was answered on Tuesday, 6 December 2005 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Rail Services

Question: I join my hon. Friend the Member for North-West Leicestershire (David Taylor) in wanting to see passenger services extended in north-west Leicestershire, as we achieved for the service from Leicester to Loughborough. Is the Minister aware that the future of the Ivanhoe line, which is part of the package to which my hon. Friend referred, will be in danger if Leicester city council, which has also changed political control, decides to withdraw its £400,000 subsidy to that service? Is not that a retrograde step when we are trying to increase passenger use, particularly on local trains and local runs, to reduce congestion both in Loughborough and in Leicester?

Answer: My understanding is that the city council has decided to withdraw its funding from the scheme, which I am sure local people will take into account when the council comes up for re-election. Continued support for the line now depends on the view of the county. We are still waiting to hear whether it wishes to continue to support that line.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 440 c720
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Railways Leicestershire Midland main line Franchises East Midlands Travel Midland Mainline Central Trains
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk