Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has condemned comments from Transport Minister Paul Clark as ignoring the problems facing Torbay and many other seaside tourist destinations.
Mr Sanders is campaigning for better rail links to Torbay to encourage domestic tourist visits. The Government's refusal to consider improving services not only damages business but shows the Government's commitment to environmental sustainability as all talk and no action.
With over 6,000 journeys every day between Torbay and London, only 4% are taken by train and this is likely to fall when South West Trains withdraw the Paignton to Waterloo service later this year. The few direct services between Paddington and Torbay are unreliable and take up to four hours compared to the two and a half hours other services take from Paddington to Newton Abbot.
Mr Clark stated in responses to Adrian in Parliament that there were no plans to provide more or better services and that it would be up to community groups and local authorities to improve their rail links.
Adrian said: "The poor intercity rail services to and from Torbay have piled pressure on local roads and stifled both the tourist sector and other industries that we desperately need to diversify into. The Government is simply ignoring the terrible effects of its policies on areas like Torbay. The admission by the Conservatives that they may not fund the bypass if they form the next Government makes the rail link all the more important."
"For tourists especially, having a direct rail link to your destination is a big selling point. When you compare the links we have to somewhere like Scarborough, Torbay is light years behind. One of the Minister's responses showed he just did not care about the impact of transport policy on key industries. To have a Government mismanaging such an important part of the economy as this is ridiculous."
Adrian is now pressing South West Minister Ben Bradshaw MP to support the campaign for better rail services.
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