CREWE RAILWAY STATION

That this House expresses concern that the future of Crewe Railway station and Crewe's proud heritage as a railway town and gateway to the North West is threatened by Network Rail's proposals to build an expensive new rail station at Basford as the region's key terminal; is further concerned that these proposals are not the result of a proper assessment of passenger needs; is alarmed that moving the station to Basford would make rail services much less accessible to Crewe residents, particularly for the one-third of daily passengers who currently arrive at the station on foot and that this is likely to result in a decline in rail travel and an increase in car use and carbon dioxide emissions; notes that downgrading of Crewe station will have a devastating effect on businesses and regeneration in the area; believes in a fully-integrated, environmentally sustainable transport network, where rail modifications are subject to the widest possible social, environmental and economic assessment; salutes the campaigning work of Crewe Railway Environment and Manufacture to enhance rather than move Crewe station; and calls upon Network Rail to set a timetable for public consultation on its plans for Crewe station so that all relevant stakeholders, including passengers, local residents, local authorities and trades unions can be involved in the process and can make their opposition known.