Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rail Infrastructure

Tuesday 27 January 2026 · 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

  • Ministers acknowledged the importance of the midlands rail hub project and committed to further investment in the Midlands.
  • Investment in East West Rail was welcomed, with the project expected to unlock economic growth and housing opportunities.
  • John Glen raised concerns about the impact of Government changes on rail infrastructure in Salisbury and south Wiltshire, and the Minister promised to look into these concerns.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Dave Robertson Lab Lichfield
Transport
Context

The midlands rail hub project has been funded, doubling the number of trains from Lichfield to Birmingham. However, there is no business case for reopening the Derby-Burton-Lichfield line.

Question

People across Lichfield, Burntwood and the villages are delighted that this Government have funded the midlands rail hub project, meaning a doubling of the number of trains from Lichfield to Birmingham every hour. Ministers could go even further, though, by investigating the reopening of the Derby-Burton-Lichfield line, including a stop in Alrewas for the National Memorial Arboretum. Despite warm words from my predecessor, no business case exists for that. Can the Minister confirm that this Labour Government are not done with investing in transport in the midlands, and will he look again at the Derby-Burton-Lichfield line?

Answer from James Murray (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)

I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting the value of the midlands rail hub, which we invested in at the spending review. We are determined to invest more in transport in the midlands. Indeed, at the spending review the Government committed to investing £4.4 billion there through transport for city regions funding. My hon. Friend is a great advocate for services that will benefit his constituents, and I will ask the Rail Minister to respond about the specifics of the line that he raises.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment to re-examine reopening Derby-Burton-Lichfield line specifically

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Alice Macdonald Labour (Co-op) Norwich North
Transport
Context

East West Rail is a project that would benefit passengers and the local economy in Norfolk. Trowse swing bridge near Norwich and Ely and Haughley junctions are specific areas needing upgrade.

Question

I welcome the investment the Government have made in rail, including East West Rail, but there are still several projects that would hugely benefit passengers and the local economy in the east. Those include upgrading the Trowse swing bridge near Norwich and, of course, Ely and Haughley junctions. Will the Chief Secretary to the Treasury meet me and other colleagues from the east of England to discuss how we can advance those key infrastructure projects for the region?

Answer from James Murray (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)

East West Rail is a transformational project that will unlock economic growth and housing. Just yesterday, I was glad to host a representative from East West Rail at an infrastructure roundtable at the Treasury with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. My hon. Friend is another powerful advocate for her local area, and I will happily discuss this matter with the Rail Minister and get back to her.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment to meet specifically but promises discussion with Rail Minister

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 John Glen Con Salisbury
Transport
Context

The MP met Lawrence Bowman, chief executive of South Western Railway. The representative expressed concerns about delays when interacting with local authorities.

Question

Last week I met Lawrence Bowman, the chief executive of South Western Railway. I am keen to make sure that all the Government’s changes take positive effect in Salisbury and south Wiltshire, so that tracks, signal and stock can be improved. Will the Minister make sure that there is a suitable reference board along the commuting line into Waterloo, so that when Lawrence Bowman’s business plan is delivered, there will not be any delays when he has to interact with local authorities—a concern that he raised with me last week?

Answer from James Murray (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for raising the concerns of the services used by his constituents. I can assure him that I will look into those and get back to him.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific commitment made, only assurance of looking into it

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Ian Roome Lib Dem North Devon
Transport
Context

The Tarka Line has seen an increase in footfall but is often closed due to lack of infrastructure maintenance.

Question

The Tarka line in North Devon has seen a massive increase in footfall. However, the line is often closed because of the lack of infrastructure upkeep. Will the Minister meet me to discuss various funding opportunities? It is a rural line that is vital for students to get into Exeter and for people’s job opportunities—I know that the Government are all about job growth.

Answer from James Murray (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right: we are all about job growth. I fear I will be quite busy after this set of questions with taking up projects in different constituencies, but that is absolutely right, because we all want to make sure that we have better investment—particularly in transport and infrastructure—for our constituents. I assure him that I will look into the matter and get back in touch with him.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment to meeting specifically but promises looking at the issue

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)