To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will invite the British Rail Residual Property Board to sell for a notional sum to Lancashire County Council the rail track bed between Colne and Foulridge; and if he will make a statement. (244163)

It is for Lancashire county council and BRB (Residuary) Ltd. to reach an agreement on the commercial terms for the sale of the track bed between Colne and Foulridge to the council. Terms were quoted by BRB (Residuary) Ltd.’s agent, Lambert Smith Hampton, on 31 July 2008 and the county have six months from that date to reach an agreement. I urge the council to enter into negotiations with BRB (Residuary) Ltd.’s agents for the acquisition of the land.