RURAL RAIL

That this House expresses concern about recent cuts to some rural rail services which follow the decline in service levels on many rural railway lines over the last fifteen years, and by recent comments by senior rail industry figures that buses could replace rural rail services; believes that rural rail has a vital role to play in boosting rural economies, promoting sustainable tourism, relieving road congestion and providing a lifeline service for those without access to a car; commends the success of community rail partnerships in regenerating rural rail services; and calls on the Government and the new Strategic Rail Authority to give a strong commitment to the future of rural rail services by developing a strategy for revitalising the rural rail network through community rail partnerships and by, wherever possible, renegotiating the Passenger Service Requirements to reverse cutbacks, and by protecting a level of service equivalent to the highest level operated in any year since 1985.