House of Commons · Westminster Hall
14 January 2025 · 12 other contributors · 8,928 words
Opened by Martin Wrigley Lib Dem Newton Abbot
Responding minister: Simon Lightwood
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Martin Wrigley raised concerns about railway services: south-west in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
I ask the Minister to reassure Network Rail that funding will be secured for the critical fifth phase of the Dawlish rail resilience programme. I also urge the Government to ensure HS2 developments do not further disrupt services in the south-west.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
The south-west relies heavily on its mainline railway as an economic lifeline. The 2014 Dawlish storm incident caused a £35 million repair cost and an estimated £1.2 billion loss to the local economy, highlighting the critical nature of rail services in the region. Since then, while improvements have been made, including a new sea wall at Dawlish and rebuilt stations, the final phase of resilience work remains underfunded and at risk.
My hon. Friend urges the government to improve accessibility for disabled railway passengers and holds Great Western Railway accountable for proper support.
He expressed concern that people in Penzance, west Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly will experience all the pain but none of the gain with this multi-billion pound HS2 project. He highlighted the significant impact on journey times from Exeter to Penzance.
My hon. Friend agrees with the need for a sufficient consultation on the implications of Old Oak Common station development for tourism and business in the south-west.
Constituents frequently contact about poor experiences with trains, including unreliability, cancellations and delays. Unreliable services are especially frustrating for disabled constituents and those with long-term health conditions.
The hon. Gentleman points out a reduction in inter-city express trains serving Wiltshire, agreeing that more services are needed to support commuters and constituents.
My hon. Friend agrees that Wales has been overlooked regarding funding, and he draws attention to the economic impact of closures on the Severn tunnel between south-west England and Wales.
Questions the decision to renationalize South Western Railway a year before GB Rail's setup, expressing concerns about potential stagnation in necessary upgrades.
The hon. Gentleman highlights the importance of accessibility in railway improvements, noting that nearly two-thirds of London’s tube stations have no access for disabled people.
Connectivity is crucial for the economy and communities in Cornwall. The Mid Cornwall metro will improve rail links but falls short of being transformational. Urges exploration of feasibility on magnificent branch lines for clarity on clean transport plans.
Emphasises the need for urgent improvement of the railway network in the south-west due to high ticket prices and unreliable services. Discusses concerns about Old Oak Common works causing six years of disruption without benefits for those west of Swindon.
She provided background on her constituency's rail connections, emphasising the inadequacy of railway services across the south-west with poor punctuality rates for CrossCountry trains at 46.4% and Great Western Railway service at 60.2%, both significantly below national averages.
Smith acknowledged the importance of the railway workforce while raising concerns about recent funding decisions and the impact on rail services in the south-west, including the phase-out of HS2 funds for regional projects.
Government Response
Simon LightwoodThe Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
The Minister thanked all hon. Members for their contributions and highlighted the Government's commitment to fixing Britain’s railway, with a focus on improving services for passengers and delivering better value for money. He mentioned that £165 million has been invested in the south-west resilience programme at Dawlish, ensuring better journey reliability during severe weather conditions. The Minister also addressed capacity issues around Devon and the impact of Old Oak Common on rail services to the south-west.