Rail Investment

Debate between Lord Hammond of Runnymede and John Pugh

Thursday 25th November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)]

Last, but certainly not least, I call John Pugh.

[Dr John Pugh (Southport) (LD)]

On a final jarring note, there is an impression that capital investment in rail usually means rail investment in the capital. What can the Minister do to disabuse me of my prejudice, perhaps by publishing per-region figures?

[Mr Hammond]

I thank my hon. Friend for his question. It is of course true that two huge rail projects are going ahead in the capital—Thameslink and Crossrail. The good news is that because both projects will between them deliver 1,800 new rail carriages, they will release large numbers of perfectly serviceable electric rail cars, which themselves make the case for further electrification of commuter lines in the north-west and on the great western main line. There are benefits for everybody, not merely for London and the south-east, deriving from the Crossrail and Thameslink investments.