Railways: East Coast Main Line

Lord McLoughlin Excerpts

Tuesday 20th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

I set off yesterday from Leeds and I was given the warning that there might be delays because of the overrunning of engineering works. Actually, it did not affect my journey at all. Quite frankly, with the sort of engineering undertakings that are happening, I am amazed that overruns do not happen more often. There is an enormous amount of work to do on the railways. It is obviously very disappointing if you get delayed and if there are cancellations, but everything the Government are doing is working towards improving rail services for the travelling public in this country.

[Lord McLoughlin (Con)]

My Lords, it is very encouraging to hear what the noble Baroness is saying. Can she tell us when these planned engineering upgrades that she is talking about were given the go-ahead, and when they were given the sign-off? I think she will find it was some years ago, under the last Government.

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

It is my great pleasure to inform the House that the noble Lord and I have a very long and chequered history—