Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald has called the government’s plan to reopen parts of the railway network closed under the Beeching cuts “disingenuous”.
He said the launch of a £500m fund – promised in the Conservative manifesto – was a “rehash” that would have little impact on the experience of passengers.
“To herald it as the reversal of the Beeching cuts is, quite frankly, a sick joke,” Mr McDonald added.