Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Modernising the Railways

Thursday 13 October 2022 · 9 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 7 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government will ensure a modern railway fit for the 21st century that meets customer needs, supports growth and decarbonisation, and connects communities.
  • The Department received 309 nominations for the next round of Access for All, including Rushden and Oswaldtwistle, and will announce successful stations next year.
  • The UK Government will confirm the location of the Great British Railways headquarters shortly.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sara Britcliffe
Transport
Context

The MP notes the need for railway reform following the consequences of COVID-19 and strikes.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the potential merits of modernising the railways given the lasting impact of COVDI-19 on passenger numbers and revenue, as well as the impact of strikes?

Answer from Kevin Foster

The Government will ensure we have a modern railway, fit for the 21st century, that meets customers' needs, supports growth and decarbonisation, harnesses the best of the private sector and connects our communities.

Answered
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Q2 Sara Britcliffe
Transport
Context

The MP opened the new disabled access ramp at Accrington station and inquired about further bids for Church, Oswaldtwistle, and Rushden stations.

Question

Can you confirm that these bids will be looked on favourably? To modernise our railway stations, we need to make sure that everybody can use them.

Answer from Kevin Foster

The Department recently received 309 nominations for the next round of Access for All, including Rushden and Oswaldtwistle, and I look to announce the successful stations next year.

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Q3 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Transport
Context

The MP inquired about the timetable slip for GB Railways' relocation outside of London.

Question

We are waiting to hear what is happening with the headquarters of GB Railways and the relocation outside of London, because the timetable has slipped. When will he say when he is planning to announce where that new headquarters will be?

Answer from Kevin Foster

We will confirm our intentions around announcing the location of the headquarters shortly.

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Q4 Louie French Con Old Bexley and Sidcup
Transport
Context

The MP has received concerns from constituents over Southeastern's December timetable changes on the Bexleyheath and Sidcup lines.

Question

Will the rail Minister meet me again to discuss these concerns and Southeastern's lack of consultation?

Answer from Kevin Foster

We may have a meeting scheduled, at which I look forward to exploring these issues further with him.

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Q5 Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem North East Fife
Transport
Context

The MP inquired about the lack of step-free access at Leuchars train station and the decision-making process for funding announcements.

Question

Can he provide clarity on who is the final decision maker?

Answer from Kevin Foster

Accessibility is a reserved matter; the UK Government will announce the successful stations. We look at usage, how inaccessible a station is, and the type of facilities it provides to make decisions.

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Q6 Amanda Milling Con
Transport
Context

The MP inquired about modernising stations across Cannock Chase to ensure they are accessible for everyone.

Question

Will my hon. Friend meet me to discuss how we can modernise stations across Cannock Chase?

Answer from Kevin Foster

I recognise the representations that my right hon. Friend makes, and I will be happy to meet her. We have agreed on improvements for over 100 more accessible step-free routes.

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Q7 Patrick Grady SNP
Transport Scotland
Context

The MP inquired about the UK Government's stance on fully devolving Network Rail.

Question

When will the UK Government fully devolve Network Rail so that Scotland's railway is fully under the control of Scotland's Government?

Answer from Kevin Foster

It remains a reserved matter as we believe in an integrated rail network and infrastructure across Great Britain.

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Q8 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
Transport
Context

The previous Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, announced the launch of Great British Railways last year with significant investment from local communities. However, there are now reports that this initiative is being scrapped.

Question

I welcome the new ministerial team to their place. To address the failure of privatisation and fragmentation, just last year the Secretary of State's predecessor announced the launch of Great British Railways. There were promotional videos with Michael Portillo and a nationwide campaign to host the new headquarters, with towns and cities investing enormous time, effort and money in their bids. But now we hear that the whole thing is being scrapped and will not be included in the transport Bill. Can the Minister confirm: has Great British Railways been stopped in its tracks?

Answer from Kevin Foster

We are taking forward an ambitious programme to reform our railways. We look forward to confirming the position on the Great British Railways headquarters in the very near future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific status and future of Great British Railways was not directly confirmed or denied.

How: We Are Taking Forward An Ambitious Programme To Reform Our Railways.

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Q9 Gavin Newlands SNP
Transport
Context

The Scottish Trades Union Congress general secretary recently commented on the differences in approach between Scotland's rail system and that of the UK, highlighting a desire to resolve workforce disputes.

Question

I welcome the new Minister to his place. I often talk favourably about Scotland's record on rail modernisation as we actually get on and modernise infrastructure while down here the Tories focus on pushing the sector to “modernise”—to cut the workforce's terms and conditions. Following similar comments from the Scottish Trades Union Congress general secretary at the weekend, Mick Lynch of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers said yesterday that in Scotland we have an attitude of wanting to resolve workforce disputes, whereas down here the Government want to exacerbate them for political reasons. Has this new team at the helm asked Network Rail and the train operating companies to get round the table and properly negotiate with freedom? If not, why not?

Answer from Kevin Foster

My right hon. Friend the Transport Secretary has met leading members of the unions, but we are not the employer in this dispute. It is important that the unions sit down, stop striking and get on with coming to a deal that is fair not just for workers but for taxpayers, who have put £16 billion into supporting our railways over the last couple of years.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request to negotiate properly was not directly addressed; instead, emphasis was placed on unions sitting down and stopping strikes.

How: We Are Not The Employer In This Dispute.

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