Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rail Services

Thursday 13 July 2023 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Richard Foord asked about steps to improve rail services.
  • The Secretary of State outlined a vision for a customer-focused rail industry and the creation of Great British Railways.
  • Richard Foord questioned why a charity for blind people was presumed to object to proposed railway ticket office closures.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Transport
Context

The MP is concerned about the steps being taken to improve rail services, particularly in his constituency.

Question

What steps he is taking to improve rail services. The Secretary of State's Bradshaw address earlier this year includes ambitions for a customer-focused, commercially led rail industry and the creation of Great British Railways. He also noted record investment in infrastructure, including £165 million for the south-west rail resilience programme at Dawlish.

Answer from Mark Harper

Earlier this year, I set out my vision to modernise the railway industry as part of my Bradshaw address. This includes ambitions for a customer-focused, commercially led rail industry and the creation of Great British Railways as its new guiding mind. We continue to invest record sums in improving infrastructure and, just last week, I was pleased to officially open the latest phase of the south-west rail resilience programme at Dawlish, part of a £165 million investment to date.

Answered
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Q2 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Transport
Context

A local charity, Devon in Sight, has raised concerns about proposed railway ticket office closures. The email to supporters includes a letter detailing how objections can be made.

Question

The Secretary of State is right that I welcome the programme. This week, Devon in Sight sent an email titled “Proposed closures to Railway Ticket Offices.” Why does he suppose that a charity for blind people should presume its supporters would want to object?

Answer from Mark Harper

The rail Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Bexhill and Battle (Huw Merriman), set out the purpose of the rail companies' proposals very well. The rail companies are consulting on the proposals, which recognise that most passengers purchase tickets online or from a ticket machine, rather than near a ticket office. This aims to get staff out into stations to support all passengers, including those who need assistance.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific reason why Devon in Sight assumes its supporters would want to object is not addressed.

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