Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Modern Railway: 200th Anniversary

Thursday 3 February 2022 · 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Railways are a product of Britain's rich history of engineering innovation and the 200-year anniversary is a nationally important moment to mark and celebrate.
  • The Department for Transport will work with the whole industry to make the 200th anniversary a special event for workers and passengers alike.
  • The Minister expressed keen interest in promoting more diversity in the railways.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Transport
Context

The question arises from the upcoming 200th anniversary of the modern railway in 2025, highlighting its significance for British history and engineering innovation.

Question

Whether he has plans to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the modern railway in 2025. Clearly, in York the 200th anniversary will be incredibly significant, with both the reopening of the National Railway Museum, which will be an incredible moment, and the opportunity it gives us to look not just back but forward at the future of rail.

Answer from Wendy Morton

Railways are a product of Britain's rich history of engineering innovation and the 200-year anniversary is a nationally important moment to mark and celebrate. The Department for Transport will work with the whole industry to make this a special event for workers and passengers alike. On the hon. Lady's point about skills, engineering and more diversity, yes, absolutely—I am really keen, as I am sure are all my colleagues on the Front Bench, to see more diversity in the railways.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for specific actions to promote future railway development with a focus on digital engineering and inclusivity. The answer only acknowledged the importance of diversity without providing concrete steps or commitments.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Transport Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from the upcoming 200th anniversary of the modern railway in 2025, highlighting its significance for British history and engineering innovation.

Question

Clearly, in York the 200th anniversary will be incredibly significant, with both the reopening of the National Railway Museum, which will be an incredible moment, and the opportunity it gives us to look not just back but forward at the future of rail. Will the Minister therefore work with us to promote the future of digital and civil engineering, and focus on those from minoritised groups and women, to ensure that they have their place in the future of the railway too?

Answer from Wendy Morton

The 200-year anniversary is an important one. On the hon. Lady's point about skills, engineering and more diversity, yes, absolutely—I am really keen, as I am sure are all my colleagues on the Front Bench, to see more diversity in the railways.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for specific actions to promote future railway development with a focus on digital engineering and inclusivity. The answer only acknowledged the importance of diversity without providing concrete steps or commitments.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Stephen Crabb Con
Transport
Context

The question arises from the current process of accessing funding for upgrading small railway stations in economically important towns such as Milford Haven.

Question

What a wonderful way to celebrate that anniversary: setting up a scheme to help small stations in economically important towns such as Milford Haven in my constituency to access funding in a timely way to see an upgrade. The current process, whereby Network Rail works up a project and then it takes years and years of multiple rounds of appraisals—big money-spinners for the consultants—just does not work.

Answer from Wendy Morton

I am more than happy to pick up on that point. If my right hon. Friend wants to tell me more about his local station, which he is clearly passionate about supporting, I would be happy to meet him.

Not addressed: The questioner asked for the Minister to look at setting up a scheme to help small stations access funding efficiently. The answer avoided this by offering to discuss it in a meeting instead of committing to any specific action or timeline.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email