Lib Dems Pledge to Double Rail Investment
January 21, 2008 12:00 AM
John Leech MP believes government spending on our railways is far lower than it should be
John Leech, MP for Manchester Withington and Liberal Democrat parliamentary transport spokesperson, has warned that the Government's proposed spending on Britain's rail network is far below what is needed to bring rail services up to scratch.
Speaking during a parliamentary debate on Network Rail, John Leech warned that the £10 billion the government are proposing to spend is far less than required to make the huge improvements needed to cope with the projected rise in passenger numbers in coming years.
Speaking afterwards, John Leech MP said:
"If we are going to tackle the twin problems of climate change and ever-increasing congestion on our roads, we need to persuade travellers to get out of their cars and aeroplanes and onto public transport. But to achieve this we need to create a rail system that is fast, comfortable, affordable and reliable. What the government are proposing to spend falls far short of what is needed to achieve this."
"The Liberal Democrats would more than double the £10bn the government would spend, paid for through a climate change charge on internal flights and the introduction of road user charges on heavy goods vehicles."
End
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