Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Reopening Railway Lines and Stations

Thursday 30 June 2022 · 8 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Through the Restoring Your Railway fund, the Dartmoor line has been reopened and over 45 other schemes are supported.
  • The bid to reopen the Maid Marian line was unsuccessful but will be reconsidered under the Toton stud remit.
  • Development funding up to 50,000 has been secured for the Stoke-Leek line to develop a full business case.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jonathan Gullis
Transport
Context

The MP is concerned about progress made in reopening closed railway lines and stations.

Question

What recent progress has been made on reopening closed railway lines and stations?

Answer from Wendy Morton

Through the £500 million Restoring Your Railway fund we have already reopened the Dartmoor line, and we are supporting more than 45 other promising schemes. This month we announced £15 million to further develop nine schemes to level up areas and grow the economy.

Answered
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Q2 Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield
Transport
Context

The MP seeks clarity on the status of the Maid Marian line project, which was previously announced and then postponed.

Question

Will the Minister please confirm exactly where we are with the Maid Marian line to avoid further embarrassment for the council leader?

Answer from Wendy Morton

I am happy to give the clarity that my hon. Friend is seeking. Although the bid to reopen the Maid Marian line to passenger services was unsuccessful as part of the Restoring Your Railways programme, I want to be absolutely clear that the case will now be considered under the remit of the Toton study.

Answered
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Q3 Jonathan Gullis
Transport
Context

The MP asks about rail improvements and the possibility of reopening a line from Stoke to Leek via Milton.

Question

Will the Minister confirm that this Government are determined to deliver rail improvements to Stoke-on-Trent North, including reopening the line from Stoke to Leek via Milton?

Answer from Wendy Morton

My hon. Friend rightly highlights the importance and the benefits of good rail connections to levelling up. He will know that the Stoke-Leek line has successfully secured initial development funding of up to £50,000, and we will be working with the scheme's promoters to develop a full business case so that a decision can be made later this year.

Answered
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Q4 Barry Sheerman Lab
Transport
Context

The MP asks if property from the rail sector can be made available near the George Hotel in Huddersfield to support the creation of a new rugby league museum.

Question

Will she take seriously making some property from the rail sector available in Huddersfield close to the George Hotel, where we desperately need the perfect site for the rugby league museum?

Answer from Wendy Morton

The hon. Gentleman raises a specific point in his constituency. I would be more than happy to look into it and respond to him.

Partly answered
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Q5 Clive Betts Lab Sheffield South East
Transport
Context

The MP is pleased about the Barrow Hill line reaching the next stage of review but asks for consideration of a tram train service.

Question

Will she look again at the idea of a tram train, following the successful service between Sheffield and Rotherham, which would go into the centre of Sheffield and have real connectivity there?

Answer from Wendy Morton

I am glad that the hon. Gentleman recognises the step forward with the Barrow Hill line, and I will certainly look at the issue he raises in advance of our meeting.

Partly answered
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Q6 Alun Cairns Con
Context

The MP seeks a meeting to consider the establishment of a new railway station in St Athan, previously excluded from the Welsh Government's programme.

Question

Will the Minister agree to meet me again so that we can consider how we can best take this project forward?

Answer from Wendy Morton

I am happy to meet my right hon. Friend.

Partly answered
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Q7 Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda and Ogmore
Wales
Context

The MP has had meetings with the Secretary of State to discuss the reopening of the Rhondda tunnel.

Question

Can they please sort out the Rhondda tunnel so that we can open it up?

Answer from Wendy Morton

Mr Deputy Speaker—sorry, Mr Speaker. The hon. Gentleman knows that it is a matter for the Welsh Government. I have had a meeting with him, and I am more than happy to have another meeting with him, but it is time that the Welsh Government put some money forward.

Not addressed: Rhondda tunnel reopening

How: Blame The Welsh Government

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Q8 Andrew Murrison Con South West Wiltshire
Transport
Context

The MP discusses the Tisbury loop arrangement and seeks an update on proposed actions to improve services.

Question

Can she update the House on what she proposes to do about this, since for the expenditure of very little money, she could dramatically improve services between Waterloo and Exeter?

Answer from Wendy Morton

I know that my right hon. Friend has raised this matter before, and I will be happy to give him a written update on the Tisbury loop.

Partly answered
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