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Great Western Main Line
09 January 2024
Lead MP
Richard Graham
Gloucester
Con
Responding Minister
Huw Merriman
Tags
TaxationTransport
Word Count: 9006
Other Contributors: 10
At a Glance
Richard Graham raised concerns about great western main line in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Mr. Graham asks for a renegotiation of train stop times at Gloucester station to potentially reduce journey times further and encourages continued collaboration between MPs, railway operators, the Department for Transport, and Network Rail to improve services and infrastructure.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Mr. Graham is concerned about the creeping nationalisation of railways since the pandemic and the lack of recognition for the success of private railway operators, including a 107% increase in passenger journeys, a 32% increase in services, and a 145% increase in revenue. He also highlights ongoing issues such as train driver strikes, which have led to significant passenger frustration. Additionally, he mentions the challenges posed by Network Rail's infrastructure failures in the Thames valley and expresses worry about the excessive taxpayer subsidy.
Alex Chalk
Con
Cheltenham
Mr. Chalk highlights improvements in his constituency, including a covered walkway, new waiting rooms, an accessible station footbridge with lifts, and additional car parking facilities.
Truro and Falmouth
Mackrory acknowledged the improvements made to Cornwall's rail network since 2019, including a half-hourly service between Plymouth and Penzance which has boosted passenger numbers. She highlighted the Night Riviera Sleeper service and its popularity for commuting to London. Mackrory also mentioned the £50 million levelling-up funding for the Mid Cornwall Metro project, expected to start in 2025-26.
North Cotswolds
Welcomed the government's £5 billion investment in the Great Western route, noting that train cancellations have reached their highest level since records began 12 years ago. Highlighted issues such as flooding, signalling problems and delays caused by trains waiting at Reading station. Emphasised the importance of ticket office staff for elderly and those with additional needs.
Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
Jonathan Edwards inquired whether scrapping HS2's northern leg would free up capital money for electrification to Swansea, Carmarthen, and further west in Wales.
Siobhan Baillie
Con
Stroud
Ms Baillie highlighted several local railway projects in Stroud, including the reopening of the Bristol Road Stonehouse line and improving step-free access at Stroud station. She also discussed improvements needed for the Cam and Dursley station, such as better shelters and increased service frequency. Ms Baillie commended GWR and Network Rail for their responsiveness and raised concerns about the prohibitive cost of rail fares from Stroud to London compared to other lines.
Stephen Morgan
Lab
Portsmouth South
The Government's programme is failing to recognise the impact on organisations and passengers are being driven away due to unreliability and high costs. There were four incidents of damaged rail within eight days in November, raising concerns about the current state of the infrastructure.
Steve Double
Con
St Austell and Newquay
Steve Double highlighted the importance of the Great Western main line to Cornwall, noting recent investment but also ongoing issues with reliability. He praised the half-hourly train service between Plymouth and Penzance and the Night Riviera Sleeper service, which is vital for the Cornish economy. He mentioned constituents' desire for improved mobile and wi-fi signals on trains. Double also discussed the Mid Cornwall Metro project, which aims to connect major towns in central Cornwall via rail, benefiting around 50% of economic activity there. He called on the Minister to expedite final funding approval so that work can commence next month with a target completion date of 2025.
Tan Dhesi
Lab
Slough
Congratulates Valerie Vaz on securing the debate and highlights constituents' anger over reduced fast trains to Slough, a significant business hub. Calls for more fast trains to benefit local economies and urges the government to build the western rail link to Heathrow as its top infrastructure priority.
Theresa May
Con
Theresa May highlighted significant improvements in railway services when companies are private, but expressed disappointment with recent issues faced by her constituents. She listed numerous disruptions and cancellations experienced on the Great Western Main Line due to various technical failures and maintenance works since December 2023. She called for better support from Network Rail to ensure reliable service.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Emphasised the importance of green transport for meeting net zero targets, highlighting issues with rail performance and fare increases. Criticised GWR's service quality and called for simpler ticketing systems and faster railway electrification.
Government Response
Huw Merriman
Government Response
The Minister discussed the commitment to rail investment, addressing delays attributed to Network Rail assets at 67% between October 2022 and 2023. He mentioned an Office of Rail and Road investigation into poor train punctuality and reliability in the Wales and western region, with Network Rail working to identify causes and address them. The Minister also highlighted government investments including the £82 million sea wall project for the Dawlish rail route and the doubling of services between Bristol and Gloucester through the MetroWest programme. The Minister outlined steps being taken to improve connectivity on the Great Western Main Line, including £50 million levelling-up funding for Cornwall's Mid Cornwall Metro project and a commitment to a seven-day railway. He highlighted investments in rail electrification over the last decade and stressed the need for better performance.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.