Government Dumps Grove/Wantage Station
July 1, 2005 1:45 PM
The Cabinet will be giving the County Council's views on new franchises to run this area's railway system for 1006-2016 on 5th July.
Liberal Democrat County Councillors for Grove and Wantage, Zoé Patrick and Jim Moley are alarmed that the Strategic Rail Authority's document setting out the new franchise potentially sidelines the re-opening of Grove/Wantage station. Zoé and Jim are concerned that the invitation to bid for the franchise implies a reduction in spending on rail transport, not an increase to meet growing needs in Grove/Wantage.
Yet Government policy is to force thousands of houses into the local area making the need for good transport even more acute. The Draft South East Plan actually identifies "a need for improved rail services" and the County Council has decided that any extra housing is not sustainable unless infrastructure is improved.
"We have long campaigned for this station. So has the County Council which has prepared plans for it. The Government should stop moving the goalposts, meet the needs arising from its housing policies and support a new station with hard cash," said Zoé and Jim.
Bob Johnston, Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet member for Transport, will press the County's Conservative Cabinet to make this point forcefully in its response on the franchise document on 5th July.
"No wonder this document was held back until after the general election," Jim and Zoé concluded.
For more information please contact:
Cllr Zoé Patrick 01235 768809
Cllr Jim Moley 01235 763301
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