Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Modernisation of the Railway

Thursday 30 June 2022 · 7 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 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government are delivering reforms from the Williams-Shapps plan for rail to make journeys easier, more reliable, and more affordable.
  • Strategic outline business case for the South Fylde line was received in November 2021, and next steps will be outlined in coming months.
  • Progress on Network Rail's proposals to extend high-speed services to Eastbourne will be updated shortly in the rail network enhancements pipeline.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Caroline Ansell Con
Transport
Context

The MP inquired about the government's efforts to improve rail services.

Question

What steps he is taking to modernise the UK's railways?

Answer from Grant Shapps

The Government are delivering on the reforms set out in the Williams-Shapps plan for rail, making passengers' journeys easier, more reliable and more affordable.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or timeline of modernisation initiatives not provided

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Q2 Mark Menzies Con
Transport
Context

The MP expressed concern about the progress of a project to double services on the South Fylde line.

Question

What assurance can the Secretary of State give me that we will see similar progress on the South Fylde line?

Answer from Grant Shapps

I think the whole House recognises my hon. Friend's enthusiasm for the South Fylde line. We received the strategic outline business case in November 2021, we continue to review that and the next steps will be outlined in the coming months.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Next steps timeline not provided

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Q3 Caroline Ansell Con
Transport
Context

The MP mentioned the importance of transport links for an international event in Eastbourne.

Question

What progress has been made with Network Rail's proposals to extend high-speed services to Eastbourne?

Answer from Grant Shapps

My hon. Friend serves her constituents incredibly well. Again, a strategic outline business plan for high-speed services from St Pancras to Eastbourne is in, and I can confirm that the status of the project will be updated very shortly, in the rail network enhancements pipeline—RNEP.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or progress details not provided

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Q4 Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge
Transport
Context

The MP highlighted the fast-growing population and recent developments in Cambridge, questioning Treasury's stance on rail projects.

Question

What representations has the Secretary of State made to the Treasury about rail developments in the region?

Answer from Grant Shapps

Or course we have a record investment in the railway—nobody can argue with that; I believe the figure is £34 billion for developments. We will be publishing the RNEP shortly, and the hon. Gentleman will be able to see more in that—that is without even mentioning the £96 billion, not in his region, but for the midlands and north through the integrated rail plan.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific representation details or timeline not provided

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Q5 Chris Elmore Lab Bridgend
Transport
Context

The MP raised concerns about underfunding of Welsh railways compared to track levels.

Question

Will the Secretary of State set out when he is going to start investing in the railway lines right across Wales?

Answer from Grant Shapps

I am passionate about rail, including in Wales. I will be announcing more in the RNEP, and the hon. Gentleman will not have to wait too long for that. I think he can see that, as I have already pointed out to the House, the Department for Transport has a lot of success in its discussions with the Treasury, which is how we have managed to invest record amounts in rail under this Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific investment timeline not provided

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Q6 Louise Haigh Lab Sheffield Heeley
Transport
Context

The MP questioned the Transport Secretary's involvement and commitment to resolving rail disputes.

Question

Can he explain to the British public why on the eve of last week's strikes he found time to wine and dine Tory donors, but still cannot find a single second to resolve these disputes?

Answer from Grant Shapps

I think that I have actually just discovered the root of the hon. Lady's accusation that I am a part-time Transport Secretary. Just to correct the record—and I will give her the opportunity to withdraw her remarks—I can tell her that I was not, in fact, at the event that she mentions. I am full-time on this job.

Not addressed: Explanation of prioritization or dispute resolution efforts

How: Correcting Accusations, Personal Defence

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Q7 Gavin Newlands SNP
Transport
Context

The MP raised concerns about the high track access charges for ScotRail compared to Northern Rail.

Question

Can the Secretary of State explain in detail why ScotRail, running broadly similar services by distance travelled, had to fork out £340 million versus Northern Rail's £150 million?

Answer from Grant Shapps

The one thing I would say is that ScotRail has been run latterly by the Scottish Government. The amount of delays even before that was extremely high. The disputes that have taken place, despite ScotRail being taken into public hands by the SNP, have been particularly pronounced.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific reasons for charge discrepancy not provided

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