← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
Network Rail Timetable Changes: Rural Communities
09 December 2025
Lead MP
John Lamont
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Con
Responding Minister
Simon Lightwood
Tags
Transport
Word Count: 7353
Other Contributors: 9
At a Glance
John Lamont raised concerns about network rail timetable changes: rural communities in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Network Rail should provide alternative services for those losing out due to the timetable changes, especially for disabled or older passengers who may struggle with connections. There needs to be reliable public transport options that can fill the gap left by reduced train services.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The timetable changes mean that the number of LNER services from Berwick-upon-Tweed will be dramatically cut to just one every two hours. The station is used by thousands of passengers daily and serves parts of Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. Timetable changes aim to secure more high-speed train services between London and Edinburgh, but this has a disproportionate negative impact on rural communities which lack alternatives.
Anna Gelderd
Lab
South East Cornwall
Acknowledges Network Rail staff efforts while expressing concerns over local transport routes. She notes improvements in road safety measures but emphasizes the importance of reliable public transport for rural communities.
David Smith
Lab
North Northumberland
Highlights the importance of regional travel and cross-party cooperation. He suggests focusing on Berwick’s night-time economy during a potential review and discusses the impact of timetable changes on tourism and local businesses.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Highlights concerns about Government's lack of consideration towards rural areas in their Railways Bill response, noting that nationalisation may result in timetabling that serves the organisation rather than passengers.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
There must be alternative transport options to fill the gap left by reduced rail services in rural areas, especially bus services to help people reach important appointments on time.
John Whitby
Lab
Derbyshire Dales
Called for East Midlands Railway to find a solution ensuring an early morning train continues to run between Matlock and Derby, addressing concerns over employment and students' education.
Tiverton and Minehead
Rural communities rely on predictable timetabling for social mobility, and unpredictability acts as a significant barrier.
Sarah Gibson
LD
Chippenham
The local college has had to reduce its timetable for 16 to 18-year-olds due to unreliable trains, impacting social mobility in rural areas.
Simon Lightwood
Lab
Dudley South
Stressed the Government's ambition for rail reforms through the Railways Bill, emphasizing improved accessibility and economic growth. Highlighted funding allocations including a £3 billion investment over three years to improve bus services.
Tim Farron
LD
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Joined the debate highlighting issues faced by rural communities due to railway timetable changes in May and fears about December 2023 updates focusing too heavily on urban areas, affecting vital rail routes and visitor economies.
Government Response
Simon Lightwood
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
Government Response
Timetables are crucial for connecting local, regional, and inter-city communities. The east coast main line will see improvements with an additional 60,000 seats per week and reduced journey times by 15 minutes between London and Edinburgh. Despite some concerns about Berwick-upon-Tweed, the service level is comparable to other similar destinations, offering hourly services to major cities and retaining key early-morning LNER trains to London.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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.