FROM THE RM FEBRUARY 1982

“The MP for Skipton John Watson asked the Under-Secretary of State for Transport Kenneth Clarke how he reconciled his statement that the decision to divert passenger train services between Nottingham and Glasgow away from the S&C to run via Manchester and Preston was taken on commercial grounds by British Railways, with his letter to MP for Leeds North East Sir Keith Joseph stating that BR’s decision to reroute the Nottingham-Glasgow service arises from the deteriorating condition of Ribblehead Viaduct.

“Mr Clarke replied that the letter to Sir Keith Joseph had been sent upon advice but without consulting BR, and that BR had subsequently pointed out that the decision to reroute the Nottingham-Glasgow services had nothing to do with the condition of Ribblehead Viaduct, and that a local service between Leeds and Carlisle over the S&C would be introduced.

“The MP for Christchurch & Lymington Robert Adley suggested that the National Heritage

Memorial Fund could be used to support the S&C line and Ribblehead Viaduct, and Mr Clarke undertook to personally ask the chairman of BR Sir Peter Parker to take up this idea. The MP for Keighley Bob Cryer suggested the European Economic Community sources of funding be explored, though Mr Clarke said that a preliminary look at this had not been very encouraging.”