West Coast Main Line

Richard Burden Excerpts

Monday 29th October 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr McLoughlin]

I am very pleased to hear that my hon. Friend’s station is being improved. I should like to point out that Derby station is being improved as well, but that was agreed some time before I arrived at the Department. On his request for further services to Stafford station, which I know well, I will certainly try to ensure that when the enhanced services are negotiated, Stafford also gets the benefit.

[Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield) (Lab)]

The Secretary of State mentioned the Brown review on more generalised lessons for franchising. Is he aware that some urgent lessons need to be learned and acted on straight away, particularly regarding routes to and from the west coast main line? I refer, of course, to the literally hundreds of train services that have been delayed or subject to cancellation by London Midland. The Secretary of State says that his officials are in daily contact on this. What are they doing? Will the problem be resolved? How did we get to the situation whereby London Midland appears not to have forward planned its driver requirements? What penalties are available to him and his Department?