Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Peter Swallow Excerpts
Thursday 13th February 2025

(1 week, 1 day ago)

Commons Chamber
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Heidi Alexander Portrait Heidi Alexander
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I will happily ask the Rail Minister to meet the right hon. Gentleman to ensure that progress can be made at Wickford.

Peter Swallow Portrait Peter Swallow (Bracknell) (Lab)
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I know that my right hon. Friend will be delighted by the news that Go-op will be operating a new mandate for return services between Swindon and Taunton. Does she agree that this demonstrates the Government’s commitment to improving connectivity across the country? Can we hope for such improvements to connectivity in my little corner of the world in Berkshire?

Heidi Alexander Portrait Heidi Alexander
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I am pleased that my hon. Friend has raised this proposal, which demonstrates the pragmatic approach we take to open access operators. Go-op will be the first co-operatively owned train service running anywhere in the UK. If there are any investors out there thinking about investing in that service, I encourage them to look closely at it.