Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rail Services

Thursday 21 March 2024 · 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 4 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministers are focusing on improving rail services in the short and long term.
  • Discussions are ongoing with Network Rail to enhance connectivity in London and the south-east.
  • Additional funding from HS2 cancellation will be allocated to local transport projects in the East Midlands.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Elliot Colburn
Transport
Context

Officials are focusing on improving rail services in the short and long term.

Question

What steps he is taking to improve rail services. Officials and I are focusing on improving rail services in the short and long term. This week, I brought together representatives from across the rail industry for a leaders in rail session to discuss how, collectively, we can make changes to deliver a better passenger experience.

Answer from Huw Merriman

Officials and I are focusing on improving rail services in the short and long term. This week, I brought together representatives from across the rail industry for a leaders in rail session to discuss how, collectively, we can make changes to deliver a better passenger experience.

Answered
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Q2 Elliot Colburn
Transport
Context

Carshalton and Wallington is one of the poorer parts of London for connectivity, with multiple bus services scrapped or reduced.

Question

What discussions is the Department having with Network Rail about moving forward the Croydon area remodelling scheme to improve connectivity in London and the south-east. Carshalton and Wallington is one of the poorer parts of London for connectivity. It was promised that the ultra low emission zone would bring additional public transport investment, but instead the 455 bus has been scrapped, the Go Sutton bus has been scrapped, the 410 bus service is being reduced, and the Superloop is just an existing bus route that has been rebranded.

Answer from Huw Merriman

I understand that my hon. Friend has been in discussions with the operator on the options for increasing capacity on busy weekend services between Carshalton and London Victoria, and that Govia Thameslink Railway will shortly respond to him directly. I will continue to work with him on the enhancement project.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Discussion about moving forward Croydon area remodelling scheme was not addressed specifically

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Q3 Lilian Greenwood Lab Nottingham South
Economy Employment Transport
Context

The leader of Nottinghamshire County Council supported the full delivery of HS2's Eastern Leg to support job creation, link communities, and decarbonise transport.

Question

How will the Minister deliver transformative change to connectivity, sustainability, job creation, productivity, and social mobility after the Prime Minister cancelled the vital investment in the East Midlands' rail services. The leader of Nottinghamshire County Council once said that the full delivery of HS2's Eastern Leg is what the East Midlands needs.

Answer from Huw Merriman

More than a £1 billion from HS2 moneys will be allocated to the Mayor of the East Midlands to spend on transport projects. That allows us to devolve more projects to the local area, and we have been absolutely clear that all the moneys that have been saved as a result of the HS2 cancellation will be reinvested primarily in the north and the midlands.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific transformative changes were not detailed

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Q4 Iain Stewart Con
Transport
Context

The recent Budget contains additional funding for east-west rail.

Question

What are the Minister's intentions for that additional funding. May I suggest that he work with the Bletchley towns fund board on using the money to provide an additional eastern entrance to Bletchley station, which will improve accessibility and enhance regeneration?

Answer from Huw Merriman

The first phase of east-west rail is ready for opening next year. Winslow station looks superb, and I am excited to see rail services come back there. On the second phase from Bletchley to Bedford, money has been allocated from the last Budget to deliver that.

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Q5 Marsha de Cordova Lab Battersea
Transport
Context

Wandsworth Town and Battersea Park stations will soon be made fully accessible thanks to the Access for All funding.

Question

When does the Department plan to announce which stations have been successful in control period 7? Will they include Queenstown Road in my Battersea constituency?

Answer from Huw Merriman

We are shortlisting projects for delivery after going through 300 brilliant applications. I am keen to work with her local authority to see how we can use regeneration moneys to achieve the end goal of making Queenstown Road station accessible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific timeline or announcement date was provided

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Q6 Alec Shelbrooke Con Wetherby and Easingwold
Transport
Context

The Leeds to Selby railway line had only a footbridge, restricting access for many people.

Question

Will my hon. Friend join me in welcoming the construction taking place on the Access for All bridge in Garforth? It shows that Conservative MPs working with Conservative Governments improve rail services for all constituents.

Answer from Huw Merriman

My right hon. Friend is spot on, as always. I thank him for his work, because ultimately that project would not have got off the ground without the campaigning and partnership he provided.

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Q7 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Transport
Context

ScotRail faces overcrowding and unreliable services, with LNER introducing a fare trial causing up to 123% price increases. Previous statements highlight the need for better railway services.

Question

Passengers in Edinburgh West face overcrowded trains from ScotRail and an unreliable service from Avanti. Now, east coast main line prices have increased by up to 123%. Does the Minister agree this is not a good service? It is the wrong move when trying to encourage more people onto railways.

Answer from Huw Merriman

The LNER trial offers greater flexibility, allowing passengers to board trains 70 minutes either side of their booking. Only 11% of fares have increased in this trial, while 55% offer better value than before. The aim is to flatten out demand and improve service quality.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address the concern about inadequate services or high fare increases

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Q8 Wendy Morton Con Aldridge-Brownhills
Transport
Context

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street secured a train station for Aldridge, which has not had passenger services in 65 years. The service starts at Walsall.

Question

Aldridge is set to receive its first train service since 1958 thanks to the West Midlands Mayor's efforts. With the midlands rail hub now established, will the Minister support extending this service to London?

Answer from Huw Merriman

Yes indeed, I am committed to working with Wendy Morton and others to extend the rail service further. Thanks to Mayor Andy Street's efforts, we have the midlands rail hub connecting 50 stations across the Midlands.

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Q9 Louise Haigh Lab Sheffield Heeley
Employment Transport
Context

Alstom rail factory in Derby faces potential job losses of up to 3,000. Hitachi Rail warns that without a solution, it could lose 700 jobs at its Newton Aycliffe factory.

Question

Reports this week show that 3,000 jobs are at risk at Alstom in Derby and Hitachi Rail warns of job losses in Newton Aycliffe. Despite assurances from the Government, these issues persist. The Secretary of State can vary contracts to protect these jobs. When will he take action?

Answer from Huw Merriman

The Department is working with train manufacturers to address their concerns and bring tenders through for several railway services. This partnership aims to find a resolution, including orders for TransPennine Express, Northern, Southeastern, Chiltern Railways.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to a specific timeline or action plan

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