CROSS COUNTRY RAIL SERVICES TO MERSEYSIDE

That this House notes that the new Cross Country franchise due to commence later in 2007 will not increase provision of direct long-distance services to Merseyside as planned; further notes the importance of connecting Liverpool with the rest of the national long-distance network especially as Liverpool will be the European Capital of Culture in 2008; and calls for a reshaping of timetables to improve connectivity with services from national networks and to ensure increased provision of services between Liverpool and Birmingham.