Emphasises working together to address issues caused by Old Oak Common and HS2, particularly regarding storm disruptions and the need for a coordinated approach for Devon.

David Tredinnick intervened to express concerns about HS2 delays and their impact on local rail lines in Devon.

Highlights overcapacity on trains from Barnstaple to Exeter due to one-way pressure of college student journeys, advocating for platform lengthening as a basic need.

He congratulated the hon. Member for Exeter on securing the debate, acknowledging the positive impact of privatisation on rail services in Devon and questioning the potential consequences of renationalisation. He raised concerns about disruptions at Old Oak Common affecting GWR services, including unpredictable timetables and reduced service quality. Additionally, he criticized the reliance on voluntary overtime from unionised drivers for Sunday performance and questioned how nationalisation would affect customer experience. Finally, he expressed disappointment over the cancellation of the restoring your railway plan and requested clarity on what happened to the £150 million funding intended for it.

Commemorates the hon. Gentleman for highlighting rail and bus services issues, particularly during Christmas when public transport is insufficient for employment or leisure activities.

Raises concerns about the impact of HS2 development in Birmingham on Devon's rail services and proposes solutions such as decreased fares and investment in local infrastructure.

Welcomes the success of the Exeter-Okehampton line, arguing that maintaining the Tavistock-Plymouth line would cost only 1% of national railway rebuilding projects and is essential for the region. Ms. Smith highlighted the need for rail parity in the south-west and acknowledged past investments, such as £165 million for the South-West Rail Resilience Programme. She questioned the impact of public ownership on the railway and raised concerns about Old Oak Common and the Tavistock railway project. Ms. Smith also mentioned platform length constraints preventing certain trains from stopping in her constituency and advocated for 29 CrossCountry services to stop at Ivybridge. She welcomed the Minister's comments and suggested looking at train numbers on Thursdays, which she argued are comparable to Fridays in terms of demand, to support the case for more capacity in the south-west.

Mr Foord highlighted the importance of Exeter as a hub for Devon, noting that there are 500,000 residents in its travel-to-work area. He emphasised the need for improvements such as passing loops near Feniton and Whimple to enhance reliability on the Exeter-London Waterloo line. Additionally, he mentioned Cullompton's potential economic development linked with the proposed Culm Garden Village, stressing the high benefit-cost ratio of 3.67 for restoring the railway station.

Mr Steve Darling highlighted the importance of addressing rail service issues in Devon and the south-west, particularly concerning ongoing delays at Old Oak Common. He criticised HS2 for its high cost (£65 billion) compared to necessary resilience improvements like Dawlish Rail Resilience Programme (£150 million). He also raised concerns about internet connectivity on Great Western Railway trains, advocating for a scheme that could improve productivity during delays.