Passenger Rail Performance 2025-03-27

2025-03-27

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Jade Botterill Lab
Ossett and Denby Dale
Context
The question pertains to the improvement of rail services, focusing on accessibility for disabled and elderly travellers at Shepley station in Ossett and Denby Dale constituency.
I thank the Secretary of State for her answer. In rural towns, rail links are vital to keep our communities connected, but many stations, such as Shepley station in my constituency, have poor accessibility for disabled and elderly travellers. Can she offer an update on the Department’s plans to upgrade accessibility at Shepley station through the Access for All programme and through its consideration of the business case submitted by Kirklees council to ensure that all residents can use it?
I can assure my hon. Friend that accessibility is at the heart of our plans for rail reform. Although I am not yet able to comment on next steps for Access for All projects at specific stations, such as Shepley in her constituency, I assure her that we are committed to improving the accessibility of the railway. It will be a priority for Great British Railways.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not provide concrete plans or timelines for improvements at Shepley station.
Commitment But No Specific Plan Acknowledgment Of The Issue Without Immediate Action
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Natasha Irons Lab
Croydon East
Context
The question addresses the lack of funding for the Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme, which would improve infrastructure in the south-east region.
The Croydon area remodelling scheme would upgrade East Croydon and Norwood Junction stations in my constituency and improve services across the Brighton main line and most of the south-east. However, after the previous Government withdrew funding for this vital infrastructure project, passengers continue to suffer delays, and opportunities for growth across the south-east remain untapped. Given the Government’s mission for growth and increased demand for rail services to Gatwick airport, will the Secretary of State look again at the Croydon area remodelling scheme and meet me to discuss how investing in Croydon’s transport infrastructure could unlock growth across the south-east?
I am sorry to say that the previous Government recklessly over-promised on rail infrastructure projects, misleading passengers who have struggled for far too long to access the services that they deserve. In fact, I would go as far as saying that Conservative Ministers travelled around the country promising rail users the moon on a stick, paid for with fantasy money. I will gladly meet my hon. Friend to discuss the Croydon area modelling scheme.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State criticized the previous government's handling of infrastructure projects but did not commit to reconsidering funding for the specific project.
Criticism Of Past Policies Agreement To Meet Without Commitment
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Tessa Munt LD
Wells and Mendip Hills
Context
The question concerns planned engineering works between Didcot Parkway, Swindon, and the Paddington area, causing significant disruption to major routes in the south-west.
The Secretary of State will know about the planned engineering works between Didcot Parkway and Swindon and in the Paddington area, which will cause significant disruption between London and Bristol and in south Wales this Sunday and next Sunday. Disruption on major routes causes massive chaos on the rural routes that are accessed via Bristol and further to the south-west. Then there is the closure of the M4 between Bath and Bristol, which means that there will be no buses between Swindon and Bristol on those days. The alerts about longer and busier journeys and train cancellations and delays advise us to travel the day before or the day after. That does not seem adequate. Will the Secretary of State please pull the rail, bus and road bodies together to avoid clashes such as this, particularly when we face six years of further disruption as a result of High Speed 2 works, which will not benefit the south-west in the slightest?
The hon. Lady makes a fair point. Having readjusted my own travel plans for this weekend, I feel her pain somewhat. This Government recognise that Sunday performance in particular, irrespective of planned engineering works, has not been good enough on Great Western Railway, and we are working actively to address that. GWR is continuing to make tactical interventions to improve the resilience of timetabling, diagramming and rostering. I will raise her wider point about join-up between modes with officials in my Department.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State acknowledged the issue but did not commit to immediate action or coordination.
Acknowledgment Without Commitment Statement Of Ongoing Work
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Jess Brown-Fuller LD
Chichester
Context
The question addresses poor punctuality and reliability issues for Southern Rail services at Chichester station.
Given that one in five trains operated by Southern Rail arriving at Chichester station is late, and that there is no fast service connecting Chichester to London, what steps are being taken directly to improve train punctuality and reliability for my constituents, especially considering that an annual ticket is nearly £8,000?
The hon. Lady is right to demand excellent train services for her constituents, and that is what this Government are determined to deliver. We are working with the train operating companies on plans to improve timetabling and staff availability and rostering. I am happy to take away the specific issues that she has raised in relation to Chichester and provide her with more detail on the intervention plan on that line.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not provide a detailed timeline or concrete measures for improving punctuality at Chichester station.
Acknowledgment Without Specifics Promise To Follow Up
Response accuracy