INVESTMENT PRIORITIES ON THE EAST COAST MAINLINE RAILWAY

That this House deplores the Strategic Rail Authority's decision to downgrade for strategic investment purposes the East Coast Mainline Railway north of Edinburgh; recognises that all parts of this country; however far they may be from London, deserve equity with regard to the provision of rail services and investment in the railway lines that serve and link the peripheral areas of the UK to the centres of government and commerce in both the UK and Europe; and calls to use its good offices to oblige the Strategic Rail Authority to reverse this investment policy decision.