Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Economic Growth: New Transport Infrastructure

Tuesday 4 March 2025 · 4 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Kevin Bonavia asked about upgrading Stevenage station to boost local growth and job opportunities.
  • Dave Robertson inquired about the Midlands Rail Hub project and its impact on the cross-city line serving Lichfield.
  • Graham Stuart raised the idea of reopening the Beverley to York rail line to connect the university cities of Hull and York.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kevin Bonavia Lab Stevenage
Economy Transport
Context

The MP referenced ongoing town centre regeneration and over 590 council homes delivered in Stevenage. He highlighted the potential to unlock significant economic benefits through upgrading Stevenage station.

Question

In my constituency, Stevenage borough council is working to secure jobs and opportunity, with town centre regeneration under way and over 590 council homes delivered, but outdated infrastructure is holding back growth. Businesses have been clear with me that upgrading Stevenage station gateway would unlock growth, with the prospect of 15,000 jobs being delivered and a £1.5 billion benefit to the economy each year. Will my right hon. Friend meet me to discuss how we can make the most of this opportunity to unlock economic growth through more infrastructure investment?

Answer from Darren Jones (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)

My hon. Friend is absolutely right that investing in infrastructure will enable growth in cities, towns and villages across the whole of our United Kingdom. We will set out further detail alongside the spending review in our 10-year infrastructure strategy in June. No doubt Stevenage, being sited between London and the Oxford-Cambridge corridor, will benefit enormously from announcements already made, but decisions on specific schemes will be taken by the Department for Transport following the spending review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific meeting request

How: Will Set Out Further Detail Alongside The Spending Review

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Q2 Dave Robertson Lab Lichfield
Transport
Context

The MP highlighted the importance of the midlands rail hub project for increasing train frequency on the cross-city line serving Lichfield, which was previously the busiest commuter line outside London.

Question

The midlands rail hub project would represent major investment in rail infrastructure across the west midlands. Crucially, it would mean more frequent trains on the cross-city line, which serves Lichfield. Before the pandemic, that was the busiest commuter line in the country outside London. What assurances can Ministers give me and my constituents that more trains will be coming on this line, and coming soon?

Answer from Darren Jones (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)

I thank my hon. Friend, who is a strong champion for his constituency, for raising this rail project. In relation to such projects, the case that he has made will be an important part of our consideration in the months ahead as part of the spending review. I will arrange for him to meet the appropriate Transport Minister as we make those considerations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assurances about increased train frequency

How: Case That He Has Made Will Be An Important Part Of Our Consideration

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Q3 Graham Stuart Con Beverley and Holderness
Economy Transport
Context

The MP emphasized the economic growth potential from reopening the Beverley to York rail line, which would reconnect two great cities in the region. All political parties agree on this project's importance.

Question

The great university cities of York and Hull are unusual in that they do not have a direct rail line between them. The whole region—Labour MPs, Liberal Democrat councillors, Conservatives—is united in believing that reopening the Beverley to York line, so that the two great minsters of Hull and York can be reconnected, would bring economic growth and a brighter future for the area. Will the Minister agree to meet me and colleagues to discuss this project and how it could help unlock the growth that we all seek across the House?

Answer from Darren Jones (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)

I am sorry to hear that the right hon. Gentleman failed to persuade his party, when in government for 14 years, to open that line. I can reassure him that this Government take rail infrastructure seriously, and I will happily consider any detail that he wishes to write to me about.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific meeting request

How: When In Government For 14 Years, Take Rail Infrastructure Seriously

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Q4 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Economy Northern Ireland Scotland
Context

The MP pointed out the potential economic growth from investing in Cairnryan port and improving road infrastructure. He also mentioned resolving EU-related trading issues to benefit businesses.

Question

Economic growth through infrastructure development could be helped in Scotland and Northern Ireland with more money going to Cairnryan port and the road infrastructure to it. Allied to that, any help that the Department, the Minister and the Chancellor could give in resolving EU-related trading issues would considerably help Northern Ireland business as well as Scottish business.

Answer from Darren Jones (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)

The hon. Member will know that the Government have entered negotiations with our counterparts in the European Commission to improve trade between the UK and the European Union. I had a great meeting to discuss these issues last week in Cardiff with Finance Ministers from the Northern Ireland Executive as well as from Scotland and Wales, and noted that we have given a record-breaking increase in funding to the devolved Governments, so that they can get on with such projects, working in partnership with us where we still have responsibility.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific investment and trade issue assistance

How: Record-Breaking Increase In Funding, Working In Partnership

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