Contributions
1,162 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTransport Links: South-east Wales and South-west EnglandGood morning, Mr Speaker. The Department for Transport is engaging with the Welsh Government and other stakeholders to deliver transport connectivity improvements, and we will…20 Apr 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsFurther to that point of order, Mr Speaker, it may be helpful for the House to know that we had a detailed question and answer session on this yesterday when I was giving evidence…20 Apr 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Gentleman I hope knows that the way track access charges are paid for is in two parts. If he looks at the total charges paid for track access by ScotRail, he will see…20 Apr 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsThis is a very good example of why the Labour party is not fit for government. The hon Lady does not want to face up to difficult choices. If she wants to reinstate the hard…20 Apr 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his question, to which I have two responses. First, HS2, as I frequently say but is not always well understood, is about freeing up…20 Apr 2023HANSARDSmart Motorway Schemes: CancellationThe Government have announced that all plans for new smart motorways have been cancelled. This will mean that the 11 schemes already paused from the second road investment…17 Apr 2023HANSARDGreat British Railways HeadquartersToday, I am pleased to provide an update on this Government’s plans to reform our railways. I am announcing the location chosen to be the national headquarters of Great British…21 Mar 2023HANSARDRail ServicesI think the hon. Lady’s question would be fairer if I had pretended there was not more work to do. Avanti has delivered performance improvement, running 40% more services,…20 Mar 2023HANSARDRail ServicesOn that last point, I promised to update the House before Easter on where GBR’s HQ will be, and I will stick to that promise. On my hon. Friend’s other points, I reiterate what…20 Mar 2023HANSARDRail ServicesI would say two things about that. I will look carefully at whether there is more we can do to show the public clearly and transparently the reasons for delays, so that they can…20 Mar 2023HANSARDRail ServicesThe hon. Lady must have been listening to a completely different statement; what she just said bears very little relationship to either facts or the things I set out. Let me take…20 Mar 2023HANSARDRail ServicesThere has been an improvement over time. Last year, I made it very clear that services were completely unacceptable. Avanti introduced a new timetable in December, but it was…20 Mar 2023HANSARDRail ServicesWith permission, Mr Speaker, I wish to make a statement on the progress the Government are making in improving rail services for passengers. Let me begin by saying how pleased I…20 Mar 2023HANSARDRail ServicesThe hon. Gentleman will know that, in a previous life, I served as Minister for Disabled People, so I take accessible transport very seriously. That is why one thing that I did…20 Mar 2023HANSARDRail ServicesTPE’s contract expires on 28 May, not 23 May. I recognise what the hon. Lady says about the excellent skills that are available in York. On LNER, that franchise often delivered…20 Mar 2023HANSARDRail ServicesI think we should judge Avanti’s performance fairly. The hon. Gentleman is mashing periods together. Before December, I was quite clear that Avanti absolutely had to deliver an…20 Mar 2023HANSARDRail ServicesThe majority of pre-covid services to the north Wales coast have been restored, and there are five trains a day in each direction between London and Holyhead. Avanti has recruited…20 Mar 2023HANSARDRail ServicesThe particular set of circumstances the hon. Gentleman talks about requires Network Rail to work closely with Transport for London, as it is doing, to look at those circumstances.…20 Mar 2023HANSARDRail ServicesI welcome my hon. Friend’s words, which paint a balanced picture. He recognises that there has been improvement, and I have talked to colleagues in this House and outside who have…20 Mar 2023HANSARDRail ServicesI think I was very clear in my characterisation of TransPennine’s performance. I was perhaps a little more diplomatic than the right hon. Lady, who was franker in her assessment,…20 Mar 2023