Time running out for rail link (Cambridge Liberal Democrats)

Cambridge Liberal Democrats <camlibdems@gmail.com>

Time running out for rail link

July 6, 2007 12:00 PM

Lib Dem Councillors in Cambridge have called for the Government to back a bid for European funding for the East to West rail link.

The Department of Transport has so far refused to support proposals to upgrade the Felixstowe-Nuneaton rail line which would help move lorries off the dangerous and congested A14 and on to rail as well as improve passenger links between London and Norwich. Without Government backing the proposal is unlikely to receive multi-million pound European funding which is currently on offer.

Councillor Sian Reid, Executive City Councillor for Climate Change and Growth, commented:

"The A14 continues to get more congested every day. If we could persuade more lorries to move from the A14 on to rail the road would become far less dangerous and less unpleasant for travellers. The A14 to Felixstowe is the main trade in and out of Britain and so it is completely ludicrous that we don't have a proper rail link along this route.

Councillor Sian Reid

"We've been talking about the need to improve the Felixstowe to Nuneaton line for many years but the Government have continued to drag their feet. We all need the Government to back the proposal now before it's too late."

Cambridge MP, David Howarth, has questioned the Secretary of State for Transport, Ruth Kelly, asking her Department to back the East West rail link.