Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Simon Lightwood and Tom Hayes(3 weeks, 6 days ago)
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Tom Hayes (Bournemouth East) (Lab)
I recently met the managing director of Morebus again to call for new services to Hengistbury Head, reinstated services to Throop and better services, such as an improved 33 route and routes to the Royal Bournemouth hospital and the airport. Does the Minister agree that better buses are good for our communities and our economy, and that there is a lot of growth to unlock in Bournemouth and the south-west with better buses?
Simon Lightwood
My hon. Friend is a fierce advocate for good public transport in his constituency and I absolutely agree with the sentiment of what he said.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Simon Lightwood and Tom Hayes(3 months, 2 weeks ago)
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Tom Hayes (Bournemouth East) (Lab)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Simon Lightwood)
South Western Railway has been working closely with Network Rail and the local authority to provide a viable scheme that will result in the installation of new lifts at the station. To establish the likely cost of the scheme and assess affordability, detailed design works are under way and are expected to be finalised in 2025.
Tom Hayes
I thank the Minister for that very helpful answer. The people of Pokesdown are certainly very keen for their lift, which they have been waiting a long time for. Back in the 1980s and 1990s, train services between Bournemouth and London Waterloo took the historically fastest time of 90 minutes. Will the Minister meet me and South Western Railway to discuss whether we can restore that fast time, as well as to discuss Pokesdown?
Simon Lightwood
There are no current plans to introduce an express service between Bournemouth and London, but I will keep my hon. Friend updated on the future plans regarding South Western Railway, which will become the first operator to be taken back into public ownership in May.