Oral Answers to Questions

Jack Brereton Excerpts

Thursday 24th June 2021 Commons Chamber

[Chris Heaton-Harris]

I very much hope so. I have asked Network Rail to develop a programme to install platform edge tactile strips on every platform in Great Britain as soon as possible; I have yet to receive that programme. I will make a further announcement in the very short term.

[Jack Brereton (Stoke-on-Trent South) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to improve cross-UK transport links.

[Simon Jupp (East Devon) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to improve cross-UK transport links.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Rachel Maclean)]

Sir Peter Hendy is carrying out the independent Union connectivity review, which will report later this year.

[Jack Brereton]

Following only two days’ notice, this week East Midlands Railway has halved the train services through Stoke-on-Trent on the Crewe-Derby-Newark line to a train only every two hours. The usual hourly service is barely acceptable, so to reduce it further is totally inadequate. Will my hon. Friend work with the Secretary of State to look urgently at what can be done to restore these vital rail services and further improve local rail in my constituency of Stoke-on-Trent South and all along this important cross-UK east-west rail link?

[Rachel Maclean]

I thank my hon. Friend for supporting those vital rail links. I know that he is doing a fantastic job of ensuring connectivity to his constituency; I know that he spoke to the Rail Minister about it yesterday. East Midlands Railway has introduced a new timetable, but I understand that a number of challenges arose because of a different fleet, train crew issues and sickness. This has resulted in the need to swiftly implement timetable changes, but it now needs to provide passengers with a robust and reliable service.