Oral Answers to Questions

Dave Robertson Excerpts

Thursday 29th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Heidi Alexander]

I will do my best to address both elements of my hon. Friend’s question. From my experience as the Deputy Mayor of London, I know the difference that lane rental schemes can make to manage the most disruptive impacts. I will certainly pursue discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive about lane rental, because I know it could make a real difference in that part of the UK as well.

[Dave Robertson (Lichfield) (Lab)]

6. What steps she is taking to improve passenger rail services.

[Jo Stevens (Cardiff East) (Lab)]

10. What steps she is taking to improve passenger rail services.

[The Secretary of State for Transport (Heidi Alexander)]

For too long, our railways have not been run in the service of passengers. We are turning this around, with six operators already brought into public ownership under this Government and the renationalisation of Great Western Railway on 13 December. Next year, the creation of Great British Railways will bring the management of track and train together, ending decades of fragmentation, and delivering better and more reliable services for passengers.

[Dave Robertson]

My constituents rely on the Cross-City line to get them in and out of Birmingham, but the last train back from Birmingham in the evening does not run as far as Lichfield, meaning that we cannot make the most of the nightlife there. As Christmas approaches, does the Secretary of State agree that it is time to change that and boost the evening service from New Street to Lichfield City, so that my constituents can make the best of Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas market?