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Union to fight plan to cut rail grant

Press Association: 26 Feb 2006
By Alan Jones, PA Industrial Correspondent

Union leaders today pledged to campaign against a plan to cut funding for a regional rail line.

The Rail Maritime and Transport Union warned that the Severn Beach line in Bristol could close altogether if the city council goes ahead with a proposal to cut its £138,000 rail support budget.

The union urged campaigners to lobby a council meeting on Tuesday when the proposal will be debated.

General Secretary Bob Crow said: "The Severn Beach line needs more services, not fewer but axing this lifeline grant will start a downward spiral that could lead to closure."

Labour MP Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) is to table a house of commons motion condemning the planned cut in sending.

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