Oral Answers to Questions

Elliot Colburn Excerpts

Thursday 11th March 2021 Commons Chamber

[Sally-Ann Hart (Hastings and Rye) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to accelerate the delivery of transport infrastructure projects.

[Elliot Colburn (Carshalton and Wallington) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to accelerate the delivery of transport infrastructure projects.

[Rob Butler (Aylesbury) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to accelerate the delivery of transport infrastructure projects.

--- Later in debate ---

[Andrew Stephenson]

I pay tribute to my hon. Friend’s determination in drawing attention to this important local issue; this is the second time she has done so this week, I believe. As she will know, the strategic outline business case for the Kent and East Sussex coastal connectivity scheme is currently being progressed by Network Rail, and it is due to be submitted to the Department in April. I am sure that the rail Minister will be able to update her more in due course.

[Elliot Colburn [V]]

Network Rail has finished developing plans for the Croydon area remodelling scheme to help to unblock the Croydon bottleneck—one of the most congested parts of the rail network, which impacts 300,000 commuters every day on the Brighton main line as well as those in areas of suburban London such as Carshalton and Wallington. What steps is my hon. Friend taking to ensure that this scheme has Government support in order to make it a success?

[Andrew Stephenson]

I know that my hon. Friend has met the Rail Minister on numerous occasions to discuss the Croydon bottleneck and the impact on stations across his constituency. We recognise the importance of the issue and are continuing to work closely with Network Rail and operators to develop the scheme further.