Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Reliability of Rail Services

Thursday 16 May 2024 · 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 0 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Performance varies across the rail network, and the Government meets regularly with Network Rail and train operators to encourage better collaboration.
  • The Government is investing over 36 billion of former HS2 money into rail projects across the north and midlands, including the electrification of the north Wales main line.
  • The new local transport fund provides funding for rail projects, such as double tracking the line between Solihull and Kenilworth, where HS2 funding was previously intended.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Samantha Dixon Lab Chester North and Neston
Transport
Context

The reliability of rail services has been a concern, with issues affecting passengers across the network.

Question

What steps is he taking to help improve the reliability of rail services for passengers?

Answer from Huw Merriman

Performance varies across the network, and I meet regularly with Network Rail and train operators to encourage greater collaboration on day-to-day performance. The pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Rail Reform Bill is ongoing.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete steps or timelines for improving reliability

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Q2 Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton
Transport
Context

Fares have increased, and cancellations are at a record high. The rail system needs urgent attention to meet the needs of passengers.

Question

With fares up and cancellations at a record high, rail passengers are crying out for change. In my patch, Reddish South and Denton stations are served by just one train a week. I would like a train service that meets our needs. Is it because he cannot deliver or thinks Labour will?

Answer from Huw Merriman

The pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Rail Reform Bill is ongoing, and the Government's approach involves working with operators for better performance. The Labour party's plan would nationalise the railways.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address why rail reform has been delayed

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Q3 Samantha Dixon Lab Chester North and Neston
Transport
Context

Summer has arrived, and cross-border connectivity is essential for visitors to Chester and north Wales. The Government made a commitment in October 2021 to electrify the north Wales main line.

Question

The Prime Minister's Network North commitment means over £36 billion of former HS2 money will be put into projects across the north and midlands, including the electrification of the north Wales main line. When will the north Wales main line actually receive an allocation of real money so it can start work?

Answer from Huw Merriman

Over £36 billion of former HS2 money is being put into projects across the north and midlands, including the electrification of the north Wales main line. Project time and resource allocation will advance such projects.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify a timeline for funding allocation

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Q4 Iain Stewart Con
Transport
Context

Train operating companies are willing to invest significantly to improve passenger journeys, but current contract terms may be a disincentive. The Transport Committee is scrutinising wider reforms.

Question

Is it the case that train operating companies stand ready to invest significantly to improve passenger journeys, but a disincentive is the break clause in current contracts? Will the Minister review those break clause arrangements and incentivise investment now?

Answer from Huw Merriman

Where operators can deliver more for passengers by having more certainty, there is certainly a case to be made for looking at those contract terms and giving them longer. This would not reverse nationalisation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to reviewing break clauses specifically

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Q5 Jeremy Wright Con Kenilworth and Southam
Transport
Context

Kenilworth station was reopened by a Conservative Government. Improving the line's reliability and service variety would benefit not only local residents but also provide connectivity options for HS2.

Question

My hon. Friend knows that after decades of closure, Kenilworth station has been reopened by a Conservative Government and a Conservative county council. However, the reliability, indeed the variety of services through that station, would be significantly improved by double tracking the line between Leamington and Coventry. Will my hon. Friend do all he can to bring about this improvement?

Answer from Huw Merriman

The new local transport fund makes funds available for projects where HS2 would previously have been delivered. My right hon. and learned Friend's transport authority can fund the project.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to supporting funding directly

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Q6 Stephen Morgan Lab Portsmouth South
Transport
Context

In five years, passenger services have worsened significantly. The Transport Secretary admitted reforms this side of an election are unlikely.

Question

Passenger services have gone from bad to worse, with a train now cancelled every 90 seconds—the worst statistics on record. With the Transport Secretary openly admitting that any reforms this side of an election are unlikely, does the Minister understand why passengers have given up on this Government doing anything to improve their rail experience?

Answer from Huw Merriman

Since 2010, £100 billion has been invested in the railways by this Government. In March, 70% of trains ran to time with only 2.9% cancellations due to one trespass and one suicide.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address passenger dissatisfaction directly

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