Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail

Thursday 24 June 2021 · 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 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The transformation of the UK railways has begun with billions of pounds invested, including new flexible tickets.
  • York is considered a strategic location for the headquarters of Great British Railways due to its historic railway connections.
  • Liverpool Road in Manchester is home to the world's first passenger railway station, aiming for integrated public transport network development.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Transport
Context

The Williams-Shapps plan for rail proposes significant changes to the UK's railway system.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the potential effect of the Williams-Shapps plan for rail proposals on levels of investment in the rail network and infrastructure?

Answer from Grant Shapps

The transformation of our railways has now started and passengers are already benefiting as we are investing billions in rail across the UK, including with the flexible tickets just announced.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The effect on investment levels was not directly assessed.

How: Transforming Railways, Investing Billions

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Q2 Kevin Hollinrake Con Thirsk and Malton
Transport
Context

York has strategic significance for railway infrastructure.

Question

Given York's historic connections and its strategic location, does my right hon. Friend think that it would make the perfect location for a new headquarters for our Great British Railways?

Answer from Grant Shapps

My hon. Friend is absolutely right: it is a stunning location. I launched the Williams-Shapps rail review at the York National Railway Museum. I commend it to everybody in this House and I think he is right that York could provide a very attractive location for Great British Railways, although that matter is some way down the line yet.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The timing of the decision was not specified.

How: Some Way Down The Line

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Q3 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Transport
Context

Greater Manchester aims to integrate rail stations with other public transport services.

Question

The world's first passenger railway station is located on Liverpool Road in Manchester. As the Secretary of State knows, Greater Manchester has an objective to integrate rail stations and commuter rail services into a single joined-up public transport network alongside bus, Metrolink, walking and cycling. The best way to do that is to devolve the necessary funding and powers for rail, so can the Secretary of State reassure me that Great British Railways, in partnership with places such as Greater Manchester, will not shut down the route to securing this?

Answer from Grant Shapps

Yesterday I was at what will become Great Britain's biggest ever railway station built in one go—Old Oak Common—so it is fantastic to hear about the railway station in the hon. Member's constituency, which was the first ever railway station. I think it is now a museum, if I am correct. I know that he has read and studied the Williams-Shapps rail reform and will have taken particular note of page 41, which contains information about that devolution plan. I do not think it will disappoint him when it comes to bringing together those services—a matter that I was speaking to the Greater Manchester Mayor about just this week.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific reassurance or commitment on devolving powers and funding was lacking.

How: Page 41 Of Williams-Shapps Rail Reform

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