West Coast Main Line

Daniel Kawczynski Excerpts

Monday 15th October 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr McLoughlin]

I want all taxpayers and passengers to get the kind of service they deserve. There have been some specific cases of cancellations on the line, as the hon. Gentleman has just mentioned. I hope that the company will put that right and train more drivers, which I think it is in the process of doing.

[Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury and Atcham) (Con)]

I echo what the hon. Member for Telford (David Wright) said. Shrewsbury is the only county town in England without a direct rail service. All the Shropshire MPs have campaigned very hard over the past year to ensure that that comes about, and both Virgin and FirstGroup have committed to it. Will the Secretary of State do everything possible to ensure that that vital service for our constituents is not delayed more than it needs to be?

[Mr McLoughlin]

I can give my hon. Friend that assurance.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr McLoughlin]

My hon. Friend, like many colleagues, is calling for better services for his constituents, and I cannot think of a finer place than Chester that people want to go—

[Daniel Kawczynski]

Shrewsbury!

[Mr McLoughlin]

I had better be a bit careful, or we might get into a bidding auction. There are a number of places to which people want extra services. That shows that the railways are now held in high esteem by all, and it is very much my intention to try to provide the services that people wish for.