Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rail Services

Thursday 14 December 2023 · 6 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Richard Foord inquired about easing rail delays and cancellations in Honiton by dualling the track from Chard Junction to Axminster and adding a passing loop.
  • Richard Foord questioned Great Western Railway about providing full 10-carriage trains, ensuring a full roster of drivers, and not cutting short late-night services in places like Swansea and Carmarthen.
  • Gavin Newlands asked about steps being taken to improve rail services, to which the response included the Government's commitment to reforming the railways by creating Great British Railways.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Transport
Context

Services on the west of England line out of London terminated at Axminster due to a land slip near Honiton, and the same line has been closed for nine days this month. Passengers at Feniton are unable to travel to Exeter or London.

Question

I am concerned about delays and cancellations for passengers in Honiton. Will the Minister ease these issues by dualling the track from Chard Junction to Axminster and adding a passing loop?

Answer from Huw Merriman

With £36 billion-worth of transport projects in Network North, I am happy to look at the project referred to. The chief executive of Network Rail is aware of problems on western and Wales routes coming out of Paddington and is taking action.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address the specific ask about dualling the track and adding a passing loop.

How: Changing Subject To Network North Projects

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Q2 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Transport
Context

Many families in Pembrokeshire have sons and daughters working away or studying all over the country who want to get home for Christmas. Rail services into Wales are poor, with five-carriage trains instead of 10-carriage ones.

Question

Will Great Western Railway stop putting on five-carriage trains when they should be running 10 carriages; have a full roster of drivers available in the days ahead; and not cut short services in places like Swansea and Carmarthen, leaving constituents stranded late at night?

Answer from Huw Merriman

We delivered on the commitment to drivers requesting additional payments for driving trains on Sundays. A modern railway requires ASLEF's co-operation for seven-day-week working.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address the specific ask about assurances from Great Western Railway regarding train lengths, driver availability, and service timings.

How: Changing Subject To Sunday Payments

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Q3 Stephen Crabb Con
Transport
Context

The Northern Transport Acceleration Council is responsible for improving transport infrastructure in the North of England.

Question

What role does the Northern Transport Acceleration Council have in Network North?

Answer from Huw Merriman

I will write to the hon. Member with that detail rather than attempt to make it up at Christmas time.

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific information about the role of the council in Network North, instead promising a written response.

How: Promising A Letter

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Q4 Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North
Transport
Context

Northern Trains provided a Saturdays-only service between Sheffield and Cleethorpes via Brigg. The service has now changed to one train a day, five days a week.

Question

Could my hon. Friend look into this matter and contact me after speaking with Northern Trains?

Answer from Huw Merriman

Yes, I will do so. We have discussed that service before and are looking at a timetable alteration for the future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific commitments or timelines regarding the investigation of rail services changes.

How: Promising To Look Into It

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Q5 Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham
Transport
Context

The Transport Committee heard evidence that journey times to and from Glasgow could increase by up to 24 minutes due to the cancellation of HS2 phase 2.

Question

Does the Minister think that passengers in Scotland will see this as a Union connectivity dividend?

Answer from Huw Merriman

No, I do not agree. Trains can tilt at certain speeds on the west coast main line without requiring a tilting train. HS2 trains will also have faster acceleration.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q6 Gavin Newlands SNP
Transport
Context

The MP is concerned about the quality of rail services.

Question

What steps are being taken to improve rail services?

Answer from Huw Merriman

The Government are committed to reforming the railways, creating Great British Railways to bring together infrastructure, operations and oversight of whole-industry finance. In the interim, the Department continues to hold the rail industry accountable for punctual and reliable services.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific steps or concrete actions being taken.

How: General Commitment

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