Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rail Services: North of England

Thursday 17 September 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department announced a 600 million package for rail network improvements in the north of England.
  • Ministers are investigating possibilities to enhance capacity on the Hope Valley line.
  • The Secretary of State reported that 62% of workers across the country are now returning to work.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Robert Largan
Transport
Context

The MP is seeking information on steps being taken to improve rail services in the northern part of England. He highlights the need for investment and upgrades.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to improve rail services in the north of England?

Answer from Grant Shapps

I recently announced a £600 million package for the rail network across the north, including £589 million to upgrade and electrify the trans-Pennine route, which is part of a multibillion-pound programme for High Speed North.

Answered
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Q2 Robert Largan
Transport
Context

The MP highlights the start of new train services on the Hope Valley line but expresses concern over frequency and reliability. He urges for investment to increase capacity.

Question

On Sunday, the new 195 trains finally started running on the Hope Valley line, which runs between Manchester and Sheffield and serves New Mills, Chinley, Edale, Hope and Bamford in my constituency. While that is welcome news and something I have long campaigned for, services are still not frequent enough or reliable enough. To solve that, we need to increase capacity. May I urge the Secretary of State to invest more in this often-overlooked part of the northern powerhouse and finally upgrade the Hope Valley line?

Answer from Grant Shapps

My hon. Friend is right to campaign for that. I am a great fan of the Hope Valley line. I cannot make an announcement about it today, but as he is aware, Ministers are investigating the possibilities to enhance capacity, and I do not think he will have to wait too long.

Partly answered

Not addressed: investing more in the Hope Valley line

How: Cannot Make An Announcement About It Today

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Q3 Huw Merriman Con
Transport
Context

The MP raises concerns about the safety of public transportation as more people return to work. He asks for measures to ensure that the rail network is prepared for this increase.

Question

As more people return to work using our great northern railway and the southern railway, what steps is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that the railway network and public transport is safe for increased passenger numbers?

Answer from Grant Shapps

As my hon. Friend knows, we took over the running of Northern earlier in the year because we were so dissatisfied by the progress, and it was then hit by covid, but I can report to the House some numbers that might be helpful. Some 62% of workers across the country are now going back to work. That is the highest level since the crisis began. In particular, the figure for last week—the week commencing 7 September—was 42% back on our national rail services. Northern is doing a great deal of work to make its services ready for people coming back.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific measures to secure safety in railway networks with an increase in passengers

How: Cannot Report Specific Measures

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