Lib Dems pledge to double rail investment

10.30.00am GMT Fri 18th Jan 2008

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 is proposing to spend is far less than is required to make the huge improvements that are 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 in order to achieve this we need to create a rail system that is fast, comfortable, affordable and reliable. What the government is proposing to spend fall far short of what is needed to achieve this. The Liberal Democrats would more than double the £10bn the government is planning to spend, paid for through a climate change charge on internal flights and the introduction of road user charges on heavy goods vehicles."

ENDS