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Crewe Railway Station 2025-01-20
20 January 2025
Lead MP
Connor Naismith
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
EconomyTransport
Other Contributors: 11
At a Glance
Connor Naismith raised concerns about crewe railway station 2025-01-20 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
I am grateful for the opportunity to address this House on an issue that I am no stranger to. The importance of Crewe railway station is not just confined to my constituents but extends across Cheshire East, north-west England, and the nation as a whole. With its unparalleled connectivity, 3 million annual passengers, and over 2,000 weekly trains, Crewe station plays a pivotal role in the UK rail network. The station's economic benefits are significant, with strong ties to engineering firms such as Bentley and Alstom, enabling supply chains and employment opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. However, challenges arise from its limited platform capacity, narrow entrances, and outdated infrastructure, which impact reliability and journey times. I urge the government to prioritise modernising Crewe station to enhance connectivity, support economic growth, and improve passenger experience.
Andrew Cooper
Lab
Mid Cheshire
Middlewich is about eight and a half miles from Crewe. Provision needs to be made for additional capacity for future services, including to Middlewich.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Connectivity is essential to meet carbon targets, and rail should be an integrated part of the net zero conversation.
Rachel Taylor
Lab
North Warwickshire and Bedworth
Connecting phase 1 of HS2 up to Crewe is crucial for opening up economic prosperity in North Warwickshire and Bedworth.
Aphra Brandreth
Con
Chester South and Eddisbury
Crewe station needs urgent upgrades, such as electrifying the track between Crewe and Chester.
Adam Jogee
Lab
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Rebuilding trust is important after years of HS2 failures and compensation delays.
Allison Gardner
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent South
Previous HS2 plans severely reduced services through Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, future developments must not negatively impact this vital region for growth.
Sarah Russell
Lab
Congleton
My constituents want more reliable journeys through an improved station, better transport links could bring economic growth.
Russell
Con
Congleton
Advocated for more accessible journeys on the rail network and raised issues around Sandbach station's accessibility.
Adam Jogee
Labour/Co-operative Party
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Urged for real and meaningful engagement with impacted communities as they seek to consider options on capacity.
Rachel Taylor
Con
North Warwickshire and Bedworth
Emphasised the need for decisive action for delivering rail services at a reasonable cost, highlighting the need for more capacity on the west coast main line.
Gareth Snell
Labour/Co-operative Party
Stoke-on-Trent Central
Suggested that connectivity between Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester airport should be considered for growth potential.
Government Response
The Minister congratulated the MP on raising the importance of Crewe railway station and acknowledged its strategic significance. She noted that while phase 2 of HS2 has been cancelled, they are considering potential solutions to enhance rail connectivity between Birmingham and Manchester. The Government committed £44.1 billion for renewals, operations, and maintenance in England and Wales from 2024-2029. This includes essential work at Crewe station like roof replacement and renewal of power systems, signalling, and track assets amounting to over £270 million. She highlighted the importance of collaboration with Network Rail and Cheshire East council for better integration between transport modes. We will continue to work with hon. Members, local leaders and the communities that they represent to ensure that we get the delivery of infrastructure projects right. As I have said, I welcome this debate, because it is vital that we continue to discuss our transport projects openly and transparently. I thank all hon. Members for their contributions this evening and for their continued contributions as we work to deliver the railway network that our country requires.
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.