Reverse Beeching

Calls for Beverley to York line

IT IS ironic that the Tories are advocating the reopening of the so-called Beeching lines when they presided over the closure of many of the rail routes in question. Many attribute, in part, a prolonged period of Conservative rule coming to end in 1964, and Huddersfield-born Harold Wilson coming to power, to the decision to axe lines in a number of marginal seats across Yorkshire and the North-East.

Yet, while it should be pointed out that Labour did not reverse the now infamous closure programme set out by Dr Richard Beeching, the monumental shortsightedness of this approach is all too obvious today.

It has also fuelled a number of campaigns to reopen specific lines, like the link between Skipton and Colne which the Government has been backing, and a feasibility study into restoring services between Beverley and York that also ceased to operate in the 1960s. The latter will certainly have the endorsement of any commuter who has endured tortuous road journeys on the now notorious A1079 in peak periods.

But the Beeching reversal fund set up by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps only has limited resources – £500m – at its disposal and the East Yorkshire scheme did not feature on a shortlist that was set out by the Minister last month.

New lines make cheap headlines, but costs are prohibitive – not least due to land acquisition. Yet, rather than this dissuading local campaigners, the onus should be on them to put together the strongest possible economic and business case if the East Riding’s transport hopes – Beeching in reverse – are to stay on track.