Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Heidi Alexander and Markus Campbell-Savours

Thursday 29th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Markus Campbell-Savours (Penrith and Solway) (Lab)]

The last train from London to Newcastle tonight is at 11.08 pm, but the last train from London to Carlisle is at 7.30 pm. Now that the experiment with train privatisation is coming to an end, is it possibly time for a new experiment where the west coast gets the same level of service as the east coast?

[Heidi Alexander]

Avanti West Coast is due to come into public ownership in March next year, and there is an opportunity to look again at the timetable over the course of the next few years. I recognise the importance of later services going direct to my hon. Friend’s constituency as well as to constituencies on the other side of the country.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Heidi Alexander and Markus Campbell-Savours

Thursday 11th September 2025 Commons Chamber

[Heidi Alexander]

I know that affordability is a top concern for people when it comes to rail. No decisions have been made on next year’s rail fares, but our aim is that prices will balance affordability for travellers with what is fair for taxpayers.

[Markus Campbell-Savours (Penrith and Solway) (Lab)]

T5. Penrith and the surrounding villages have endured a summer of gridlock, with junction 40 on the M6 repeatedly grinding to a halt, particularly when peak holiday traffic is heading to Cumbria and the lakes. While we await the vital A66 trans-Pennine upgrade, for which we are all grateful, will the Minister agree to meet me to discuss urgent short-term interventions that National Highways can implement to ease the pressure for my constituents?