Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Rail Services: Devon

11 December 2024 · 9 other contributors · 7,548 words

Opened by Steve Race Lab Exeter

Responding minister: Simon Lightwood

Transport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Steve Race raised concerns about rail services: devon in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Steve Race highlighted the importance of rail services in Exeter's economy, noting an 11% population increase from 2011 to 2021, contributing nearly 6 billion in gross value added.
  • Race urged the government to secure a 40% increase in rail usage by 2035, which could bring an additional 700 million in benefits to the south-west.
  • The Government has invested 165 million in the south-west resilience programme at Dawlish to improve journey reliability.

Key requests to Government

Race urged the government to secure a 40% increase in rail usage by 2035, which could bring an additional £700 million in benefits to the south-west. He proposed several shovel-ready projects such as improving resilience through the Dawlish sea wall works and reopening alternative routes like the Exeter-Plymouth line.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Steve Race Lab Exeter

Steve Race highlighted the importance of rail services in Exeter's economy and growth. He noted that Exeter experienced an 11% population increase from 2011 to 2021, contributing nearly £6 billion in gross value added. The city is home to significant economic drivers such as the University of Exeter and the Met Office. However, challenges remain, including the regularity and resilience of public transport systems due to frequent storms affecting rail infrastructure like the Dawlish sea wall. He emphasized that improvements to the rail network are crucial for sustainable economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Other contributors (9)
  • David Reed Con Exmouth and Exeter East

    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 Con Buckingham

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

  • Ian Roome Lib Dem North 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.

  • Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham

    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.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

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

  • Rachel Gilmour Lib Dem Tiverton and Minehead

    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.

  • Rebecca Smith Con South West Devon

    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.

  • Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth

    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.

  • Steve Darling Lib Dem Torbay

    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.

Government Response

Simon Lightwood

The Government recognises the importance of rail services for economic development, tourism, and connectivity. Passenger numbers have recovered since the pandemic but cancellations are at a 10-year high with inconsistent punctuality across the network. £165 million has been invested in the south-west resilience programme at Dawlish to improve journey reliability. New stations such as Marsh Barton (nearly 130,000 journeys) and Okehampton Interchange will enhance connectivity. The Government is working on additional passing loops between Exeter and Salisbury to reduce delays. Improvements are being made through the introduction of additional CrossCountry trains from May 2025 and refurbishment of the entire fleet over the next few years.

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