Oral Answers to Questions

James Grundy Excerpts

Thursday 24th November 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Holden]

I thank the hon. Member for his question. Flexibility is important for local need, which is why local authorities are the decision makers in this area. If local people do not like what local authorities are doing, they can make a change to local priorities at the ballot box.

[James Grundy (Leigh) (Con)]

6. What recent steps his Department has taken to help level up communities through the transport network.

[Mr Gagan Mohindra (South West Hertfordshire) (Con)]

12. What steps he is taking to help provide support for local transport routes.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr Mark Harper)]

Local transport services are crucial to the growth and levelling-up agendas, which is why the Government are investing in our local transport services by providing more than £2 billion to support bus and light rail services throughout England, as well as investing unprecedented sums to enable cycling and walking. We continue to work with local transport authorities and public transport providers to ensure that these vital services reflect the needs of those who rely on them every day.

[James Grundy]

Can my right hon. Friend update me on the progress towards reopening Golborne and Kenyon Junction stations to reconnect the great constituency of Leigh with the national rail network?

[Mr Harper]

My hon. Friend is a doughty champion for his constituents. My officials continue to work closely with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on the proposal to open a new rail station at Golborne as part of the £1 billion city region sustainable transport settlement announced earlier this year. Local partners are currently producing an outline business case to support the proposal, which we expect to receive and consider in due course. Bids to open Kenyon Junction station were submitted in the second and third rounds of the ideas fund, but were sadly unsuccessful.