MP slams 'robbery' of East Anglia rail funds

11.20.39am GMT Wed 4th Feb 2004

Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, has written to the Chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) over plans to take around £500 million raised on East Anglia's railways in order to subsidise loss-making lines elsewhere in the UK.

Under the terms of the new Greater Anglia rail franchise, the SRA will take £71.5 million raised on the region's railways every year for seven years. The money will go towards repairs on the whole rail network and subsidies for other train operators.

"Taking 20 per cent of predicted revenues from the new operator, National Express, seems extraordinary," said Norman Lamb.

"There are so many priorities for investment in the Greater Anglia franchise area that need to be addressed, that to take these funds out of the area where they are going to be raised looks unacceptable.

"Congestion on the main lines out of Liverpool Street, the condition of many stations and the state of a lot of the rolling stock all have to be dealt with. This will all need funding, and an extra £500 million over seven years would undoubtedly go quite a long way.

"This is a great train robbery against all East Anglia's rail users."