In November 1979, journalist David Hencke prevented a second set of cuts to Britain's railways, similar to those made by Richard Beeching in the 1960s. His reports in the Guardian revealed secret plans for a huge programme of passenger closures, partly through extensive substitution by buses. Between 700 and 2,000 miles of railway were under threat.
Secret British Rail Plan Exposed
Hencke had seen British Rail's confidential corporate plan, which evaluated 40 out of 85 branch lines and provincial services. The plan laid out a timetable for closures in two stages, up to 1984 and up to 1989.
Government Rejects Closure Option
As a result, the transport minister, Norman Fowler, over-ruled British Rail and his officials in a letter to BR's chairman, Peter Parker. Fowler wrote: "It is my firm policy that there should be no substantial cuts in the passenger rail network … the option of closing 40 passenger services is one that the government have rejected."
Legacy of the Reports
Virtually all these services are still running and most are thriving. The culture in favour of the railway has changed, not least thanks to David Hencke.
