Mr Bob Willis

[FOI #13431 email]

John Carding

Policy Advisor

Rail Network Strategy Division

Department for Transport

Zone 5/29

Great Minster House

76 Marsham Street

LONDON

SW1P 4DR

Direct Line: 020 7944 6756

E-mail: [email address]

Our Ref: F0005412

23 June 2009

Dear Mr Willis

I refer to your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, received on 17 June. In that request you asked for a breakdown of the land ownership details of the former Ruabon to Barmouth railway line.

I am writing to advise you that the Department does not hold the information you requested. Perhaps it would be helpful if I explained the background to the issue contained in your request. At privatisation, ownership of operational railway land was transferred to Railtrack plc (now Network Rail Infrastructure Limited). The British Railways Board (BRB) (Residuary) Limited retained the non-operational land and buildings.

The BRB (Residuary) Limited has confirmed that it does not hold information on the current ownership of this former railway line; and that it does not retain ownership of any land or structures along the route.

The track-bed was sold in two sections. The eastern portion between Ruabon and the 9 mile post approx (east of Deeside Halt on the now privately run Llangollen Railway) was sold to Denbighshire County Council on 12 February 1971.

The remainder of the line between the 9 and 52 mile posts approx up to Morfa Morddach Junction (near Barmouth on the coast) was conveyed to Merioneth County Council on 5 December 1969.

The BRB (Residuary) Limited also advises that details of current land ownership may be available from the Land Registry.

If you are unhappy with the way the Department has handled your request or with the decisions made in relation to your request you may complain within two calendar months of the date of this letter by writing to the Department's Information Rights Unit at:

Zone D/04

Ashdown House

Sedlescombe Road North

Hastings

East Sussex TN37 7GA

E-mail: [email address].uk   

Please see attached details of DfT's complaints procedure and your right to complain to the Information Commissioner.from [department] you may ask for an internal review. You should contact [name of official and address] if you wish to complain

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Yours faithfully

John Carding

Your right to complain to [DfT/Agency] and the Information Commissioner

You have the right to complain within two calendar months of the date of this letter about the way in which your request for information was handled and/or about the decision not to disclose all or part of the information requested. In addition a complaint can be made that DfT has not complied with its FOI publication scheme.

Your complaint will be acknowledged and you will be advised of a target date by which to expect a response. Initially your complaint will be re-considered by the official who dealt with your request for information. If, after careful consideration, that official decides that his/her decision was correct, your complaint will automatically be referred to a senior independent official who will conduct a further review. You will be advised of the outcome of your complaint and if a decision is taken to disclose information originally withheld this will be done as soon as possible.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

 Information Commissioner's Office
 Wycliffe House
 Water Lane
 Wilmslow
 Cheshire
 SK9 5AF

090623 FOIA 0005412 B Willis Decision Letter.doc