A letter from the government's Department for Transport states:

"I am consulting you in connection with the prospective implementation of parts of the Railways Act 2005 (the Act). These concern the way in which modifications to the rail network are to be made in future. The Act distinguishes two types of modification, each having its own procedure:

* a "closure" involves the loss of a passenger service, a network (or part of one) or a station (or part of one).
* a "minor modification" involves some lesser change. These include changes such as the removal of railway equipment or the relocation of a station structure."

'Modifications'

The consultation letter makes it clear:

"[the draft change] deals with how to assess the business case and the cost-benefit threshold below which closures will not be permitted."

Currently railway station closures cannot take place without a statutory instrument; i.e. a Bill in the Houses of Parliament. Under the proposed changes this will no longer be necessary, instead big business lobbyists and cash-strapped local government transport departments will be able to push for withdrawal of public subsidy from public transport networks much more easily.

"The Act also makes provision for classes of modification to the railway to be treated as minor modifications; and therefore exempt from the new closure procedures. The consultation therefore seeks views on where the boundary line between closures and minor modifications should be drawn, and on the procedure for dealing with the latter."

The deadline for responding to the current DfT consultation is 21 April, 2006. Get writing.