'Countryside Matters!' 'Burning Issues'
	Railways
February 2005 Top	Rural Proofing? Campaigners are concerned over plans to close regional offices and dismiss 150+ rail service monitors. At present there are 6 regional Rail Passenger Committees (RPC) which act as independent voices for passengers. These will be wound up under the Railways Bill which is currently going through Parliament. The campaigners fear that rail closures will follow. At present the RPCs are required to report on rail closures that might cause 'local hardship' but the new proposed national board, of Ministerial appointees, will not have that statutory obligation. This will leave rural areas without a voice at national level and raises yet again the fears that many rural lines will close (see Rural Proofing? May 2002) or become the responsibility of local authorities as 'community' lines. This would then lead to closure if adequate funding was not provided from the Government. Members of Transport 2000 and of the South West Public Transport Forum have expressed their concern at the proposals. Lines under threat, in the Westcountry, are the route from Exmouth to Barnstaple, the Tamar Valley, St Erth to St Ives and Newquay to Par lines. If the countryside is to thrive for both residents and for tourists we need our branch lines to be given proper attention and funding. That is best achieved by those who know the areas concerned rather than some-one in London. 'Rural proofing'?
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