Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Energy Coast Train Line: Upgrades

Thursday 12 February 2026 · 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Michelle Scrogham asked about the reliability issues affecting the rail service in Barrow-in-Furness.
  • The Minister acknowledged cross-Government support for the energy coast rail upgrade project.
  • The Minister confirmed a meeting with the Rail Minister to progress the matter regarding the rail upgrades.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Michelle Scrogham Lab Barrow and Furness
Transport
Context

The MP highlights constituents' concerns over an unreliable rail service impacting lives and businesses in Barrow-in-Furness. The technical case for upgrading the energy coast rail is advanced, with cross-Government support.

Question

People in Barrow-in-Furness have had to put up with an increasingly unreliable rail service, which is having a huge impact on lives and businesses locally. From our work together so far on the energy coast rail upgrade, the Minister is aware that we have cross-Government support, and that the technical case for the project is well advanced. Does he agree that the meeting that we have been working towards, bringing Ministers and Departments together with Cumbrian MPs, will be an important milestone as we progress this work?

Answer from Keir Mather

My hon. Friend continues to be a determined champion both for the project and for the economic benefits that it could bring to her constituents. I agree that a meeting with the Rail Minister is the right way to progress the matter; I give her an assurance that that meeting will happen in short order.

Partly answered

How: I Give Her An Assurance That That Meeting Will Happen In Short Order

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Q2 Michelle Scrogham Lab Barrow and Furness
Transport
Context

The MP notes her role as a champion for the constituents and acknowledges Cumberland council's leadership in developing proposals for the energy coast train line.

Question

What recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the progress of upgrades to the energy coast train line.

Answer from Keir Mather

My hon. Friend is a great champion for her constituents. I thank her for her efforts to push the project forward; the energy coast train line has great potential to boost the local economy. Cumberland council is rightly leading the development of proposals, and my Department will continue to work with it, and to facilitate engagement across Government.

Partly answered

How: My Hon. Friend Is A Great Champion For Her Constituents

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