MP Secures Meeting with Ministers on Future of East Coast Main Line

11.53.00am GMT Mon 26th Oct 2009

Borders MP Michael Moore has secured a meeting with Ministers at the Department for Transport to discuss the future of the East Coast Main Line (ECML).

After the announcement of the planned nationalisation of the ECML Mr Moore had sought assurances from Ministers that services to and from Berwick-Upon-Tweed would not be amended except to be improved while the line was under state control.Michael Moore MP: Borders

Subsequently, Mr Moore wrote to Lord Adonis, Secretary of State for Transport, to express his concern over the impact of the nationalisation of the ECML could have on people from the Borders who depend on rail services from the station at Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Officials at the Department have now invited Mr Moore to meet with Ministers after the publication of the Government’s consultation paper on the future of the East Coast Main Line which is expected to be released at the beginning of 2010.

Commenting, Mr Moore said:

‘As there are no stations in the 1500 square miles of the Borders at present, the east coast rail line and the station at Berwick-upon-Tweed are of great strategic importance to many of my constituents.

‘I am pleased that Ministers have recognised the importance of taking the views of Borders rail users into account during discussions of the future of the ECML. I look forward to discussing this issue with them at greater length after the public consultation period has begun.’