Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to take steps to mark the anniversary of 200 years of passenger train travel in 2025.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Railway 200 has been developed by a cross industry partnership for a year-long nationwide partnership-led campaign to celebrate 200 years of the modern railway and inspire a new generation of young people to choose a career in rail. Starting in January 2025, a wide variety of activities and events are being planned to celebrate rail’s remarkable past, its role today, and its importance to a sustainable future. The partnership-led approach will provide a framework to support local activity across the whole of the UK which, along with a small number of centrally delivered initiatives, will result in an exciting and diverse campaign delivering a real legacy beyond 2025. Railway 200 has the Department for Transport’s full support and Ministerial endorsement
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to ensure passenger (a) safety levels and (b) confidence on the rail network (i) during strike action and (ii) when minimum service levels are used.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
We expect train and station operators to comply with their health and safety responsibilities to protect passengers from risks on crowded trains and at stations, so far as is reasonably practicable. During periods of strike action, rail operators deploy measures such as implementing amended timetables to ensure services can be delivered reliably and safely. To minimise impacts and keep passengers informed during periods of strike action, the rail industry uses widespread passenger messaging to publicise disruption and the latest travel information in stations, through websites, and on social media channels.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much the Great British Railways transition team has spent with recruitment agencies.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
No money has been spent by the Great British Railways Transition Team with recruitment agencies.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to increase capacity at St Pancras International following the introduction of the EU’s Entry Exit System.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises the importance of smooth passenger flows at St Pancras International and it is the Government’s priority to support, where possible, pragmatic solutions to address the potential impact of the EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES) at locations in the UK with juxtaposed controls, including St Pancras.
My Department will continue to engage closely with St Pancras partners on preparations ahead of EES implementation later this year.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that St Pancras International is prepared for the introduction of the EU’s Entry Exit System.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises the importance of smooth passenger flows at St Pancras International and it is the Government’s priority to support, where possible, pragmatic solutions to address the potential impact of the EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES) at locations in the UK with juxtaposed controls, including St Pancras.
My Department will continue to engage closely with St Pancras partners on preparations ahead of EES implementation later this year.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to improve the performance of train services between London and Ashford.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Department monitors train operators’ operational performance closely to ensure they provide the best possible experience for those using our railways and hold them to account through regular review of their delivery of contractual service level commitments.
I am aware that in recent weeks Southeastern have faced several challenges affecting services across their network including the route between London and Ashford, including sustained heavy rainfall leading to the wettest February in Kent on record. Southeastern are working closely with Network Rail to mitigate these risks.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the performance of trains between Ashford and Rye.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Over the past three full railway periods (December 2023 to the start of March 2024) 76.5% of services on this route arrived within 1 minute of their planned arrival time and 4.1% of services were cancelled. This is an improvement from the same period last year where 59% of services arrived within 1 minute of their planned arrival time and 5.8% of services were cancelled.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that the recruitment process for a new head of Great British Railways is transparent.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Once legislation is in place we will appoint the head of Great British Railways, using an open and fair recruitment process as we do for other Arms- Length Bodies
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many miles of previously closed train lines have been reopened since the publication of the Williams Review.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
As part of the Restoring Your Railway programme, more than 30 miles of train lines in England and Wales will have been reopened to regular passenger services by the end of this year, comprising the Exeter to Okehampton (Dartmoor) line and the Newcastle to Ashington (Northumberland) line.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with the Minister for the Cabinet Office on Civil Service pay structures for the appointment of the head of Great British Railways.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Once legislation is in place we will appoint the head of Great British Railways, using an open and fair recruitment process as we do for other Arms- Length Bodies