Little-used

Now, prosecutors are increasingly focused on building the conspiracy cases and considering upping the ante by bringing the little-used but far more serious charges of “seditious conspiracy,” which carry up to 20 years in prison, according to current and former law enforcement officials.

In addition, over 350 little-used stations were closed, and reductions were made in unprofitable train services.

Mr. Hoyle, who does not believe many multiple-unit diesel services on secondary routes will resist for ever the road transport challenge, would forgo passenger traffic altogether on a little-used route in order to improve the quality of the freight working and reduce its costs by equating the average speed of all trains on the line concerned.

The B.T.C. and the National Farmers' Union are now reviewing farm crossings to see if little-used ones could be closed and whether a simple warning could be provided at crossings where conditions are difficult.