Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Rail Services: East Durham Coastline

01 April 2025 · 3 other contributors · 3,450 words

Opened by Grahame Morris Lab Easington

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

Grahame Morris raised concerns about rail services: east durham coastline in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Rail service in East Durham coastline suffers from delays and cancellations, causing passenger inconvenience.
  • Grahame Morris requests Northern Rail to improve service reliability and provide more rolling stock during peak times.
  • Morris also asks for confirmation on allocation of 450 new trains to the East Durham coastline.

Key requests to Government

Grahame Morris asks for Northern Rail to provide more reliable services with sufficient rolling stock and carriages during peak periods. He also requests a confirmation on how many of the 450 new trains will be allocated to the East Durham coastline.

How the debate unfolded

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

Opened the debate

Grahame Morris Lab Easington

The rail service is characterised by delays and cancellations, leaving passengers stranded. In Easington, Seaham, and Horden, one cancelled train means an hour's wait for the next service, undermining connectivity for education and employment opportunities.

Other contributors (3)
  • Chris McDonald Lab Stockton North

    Supports Grahame Morris's concerns, extending them to his constituents in Billingham and highlighting the impact on employment and educational opportunities.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Highlights the impact of unreliable rail services on rural communities and asks if a government commitment is needed to address these shortcomings.

  • Simon Lightwood Con Sunderland

    Notes support for new proposed services from Grand Central and recognises the role it has played in improving connectivity. Mentions capacity constraints on the east coast main line that prevent supporting additional services.

Government Response

Simon Lightwood

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport

The Minister acknowledges the MP's concerns and expresses frustration over the poor service. He explains that while ensuring operational resilience and value for money, it is not possible to guarantee a seat on every train due to fleet size limitations. The Rail North Partnership has issued Northern with a notice of breach requiring them to develop an improvement plan focusing on resolving disputes with unions, developing their fleet and resources, and enhancing service resilience.

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