Borders MP Michael Moore has asked Ministers for their assurance that the nationalisation of the east coast main line will not affect rail services into Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Speaking in the Chamber after the details of the Government’s plans were announced on Wednesday, Mr Moore asked Sadiq Khan, Minister of State for Transport, to pledge that services to and from Berwick-upon-Tweed would not be amended except to be improved whilst the east coast line is under Government control or under a new contract.Michael Moore MP: Borders

Mr Moore and his Liberal Democrat colleague Sir Alan Beith, MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed, are seeking an urgent meeting with Lord Adonis, Secretary of State for Transport, to discuss the impact of the new arrangements on passengers who rely on the east coast line to travel to and from Berwickshire and the rest of the Borders.

Speaking after the debate, Mr Moore said:

‘As there are no stations in the 1500 square miles of the Borders at present, the east coast rail line and the station at Berwick-upon-Tweed are of great strategic importance to many of my constituents.

‘The Government must ensure that rail users from our region are not penalised as a result of the failure of National Express to fulfil the terms of their contract’.

Notes:

Full details of the exchange between Mr Moore and Sadiq Khan can be found online at:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090701/debt...