Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Thameslink Train Services

25 February 2025 · 4 other contributors · 3,545 words

Opened by Blake Stephenson Con Mid Bedfordshire

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

Blake Stephenson raised concerns about thameslink train services in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about unreliable Thameslink train services affecting 1.5 million passengers annually in Mid Bedfordshire.
  • Blake Stephenson calls for more drivers, emergency transport options, and improved accessibility at Harlington and Flitwick stations.
  • The Government commits to improving train crew availability, infrastructure, and focusing on a unified railway system to enhance service reliability.

Key requests to Government

Blake Stephenson calls for sufficient drivers to ensure services run as advertised, better emergency routes home via taxis and buses, especially in rural communities, and improved step-free access at Harlington and Flitwick stations.

How the debate unfolded

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

Opened the debate

Blake Stephenson Con Mid Bedfordshire

About 1.5 million passengers use Harlington and Flitwick stations in Mid Bedfordshire each year to meet friends, go shopping and take advantage of everything London has to offer. However, the service is unreliable with overcrowded carriages, cancellations, and delays; 80% of respondents had been impacted by a cancellation in the past month, and 88% had experienced a delay of more than 10 minutes.

Other contributors (4)
  • Alistair Strathern Lab Hitchin

    Strathern agrees with Stephenson about securing sufficient drivers for the line and putting passengers at the heart of rail operations, highlighting that Thameslink cannot consistently put on advertised services due to a lack of drivers.

  • Chris Bloore Lab Redditch

    The fragmentation of the network has failed not only passengers but also businesses looking to invest in constituencies such as Redditch, highlighting the importance of improved services for business relocation and investment.

  • Chris Hinchliff Lab North East Hertfordshire

    Commuters in Ashwell are experiencing unreliability and high fares, affecting their ability to access work and education. The MP asks what steps will be taken to improve these issues.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Shannon commends Stephenson's work for disabled people who use trains regularly and emphasizes the need for step-free access right across the country, not just in Mid Bedfordshire.

Government Response

Simon Lightwood

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport

The Government recognise the crucial role of rail networks in supporting economic development. They are addressing performance issues on Thameslink by improving train crew availability, upgrading infrastructure, and focusing on a unified railway system to put passengers first. The Minister confirms that the Department will continue to closely review Thameslink’s progress for sustained recovery and improved service reliability.

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