Portillo to host Radio 4 show on railways

Former Cabinet Minister Michael Portillo is to present a special programme for BBC Radio 4 this weekend looking at the impact of the cuts to Britain’s railways in the 1960s.

‘One Way Ticket: The Beeching Cuts Revisted’ has been made by independent production firm Made in Manchester.

Portillo has previously presented a television series on Great British Railway Journeys for BBC2.

The documentary, which airs at 8pm on Saturday is part of Radio 4’s ‘Archive on 4’ strand.

Producer and Made in Manchester Creative Director Ashley Byrne says: “Michael loves the railways and his passion for their history and heritage really comes through in this programme. His BBC2 series is a massive hit and takes up a lot of his time so we are delighted to be able to recruit him for this programme.”

Ashley adds: “We analyse the impact the cuts had on communities and on the way politicians, planners and the public subsequently viewed the railways in the following five decades. And we ask how Dr Beeching might have felt about the railway renaissance we enjoy today.”


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Posted on Monday, April 30th, 2012 at 6:48 am by RadioToday Staff

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