Rethink new year rail closure, call

The Tories have demanded a rethink on plans to close part of one of the country's busiest train lines on New Year's Eve - affecting up to 50,000 passengers.

Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers attacked the "misguided" decision to extend engineering works in the Rugby area by one day, adding an hour to many journeys. And Virgin Trains, whose services are severely affected by the move, expressed its disappointment and accused Network Rail of "bullying" operating companies.

Network Rail (NR) apologised to travellers for the inconvenience, insisting it was necessary to ensure the upgrade, part of an £8 billion scheme, was completed "safely and properly". But Mrs Villiers said it was especially important to encourage people out of the cars and on to public transport on the day the nation marked the arrival of 2008.

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