Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rail Passengers

Thursday 13 February 2025 · 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

  • Harpreet Uppal inquired about steps being taken to improve passenger rail performance, highlighting the TransPennine route upgrade.
  • The Secretary of State acknowledged the TransPennine upgrade, noting it will double the number of seats between Huddersfield and Manchester and increase seats by 30% between Huddersfield and Leeds.
  • John Lamont questioned about the extension of the Borders Railway and the UK Government's share of the funding for the feasibility study.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Harpreet Uppal Lab Huddersfield
Transport
Context

The question addresses the need for improved rail service, particularly in relation to the TransPennine route upgrade project which is a significant infrastructure investment. The project aims to provide faster and more reliable trains between Huddersfield and other major cities.

Question

What steps she is taking to improve passenger rail performance. The TransPennine route upgrade is the biggest rail infrastructure project in the country, and my constituency is at the centre of it. One of the main benefits for passengers will be faster and more reliable trains. Will the Secretary of State update the House on the project, and tell us what steps are being taken to ensure that local communities such as those in Huddersfield benefit fully from improvements in rail performance?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Transport (Heidi Alexander)

My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the importance of this investment to her constituency. The rail upgrade will double the number of seats between Huddersfield and Manchester, and will increase the number by 30% between Huddersfield and Leeds. Service reliability will also improve. Moreover, 60% of the workforce will be employed within 25 miles of the route and 66% of spending will be within the local supply chain, which will lead to local growth and jobs—so it is good news all round.

Answered
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Q2 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Transport
Context

The question addresses the extension of the Borders Railway from Tweedbank to Hawick and Newcastleton and on to Carlisle. The project has strong local and cross-party support, and funding for a feasibility study secured as part of the Borderlands growth deal is being discussed.

Question

I want to improve rail performance in my constituency, and the extension of the Borders Railway from Tweedbank to Hawick and Newcastleton and on to Carlisle has strong local and cross-party support. Has the UK Government’s share of the funding for the feasibility study—secured as part of the Borderlands growth deal—been confirmed, and will it be released to Scottish Borders Council imminently?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Transport (Heidi Alexander)

I understand that officials in my Department are speaking to Scottish colleagues, and I hope to be in a position to say more about that soon, potentially as part of the spending review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: UK Government’s share of funding confirmation

How: Speaking To Scottish Colleagues, Will Say More Soon

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