Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Timms and Lord McLoughlin

Thursday 8th May 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr McLoughlin]

I had a very interesting visit with my hon. Friend when I went to Nuneaton station, when he made the case for a number of extra services that he would like to see calling there. I understand his bid for the academy. I am slightly worried as I am not sure what we will talk about on HS2 when we have made a decision on the location of the academy

[Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab)]

One thing I think we will talk about is the review of connections between HS2 and the continent, which the Secretary of State announced almost two months ago. When does he envisage that review being complete?

[Mr McLoughlin]

I hope to be able to update the House further on those proposals later this year and on the work that the Department is doing, which is at the moment being led by Sir David Higgins.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr McLoughlin]

If my hon. Friend was here at the start of questions, he will have heard a number of Members call for better services in their areas. I think the line that he mentions does get substantial investment as a result of the intercity express programme, and I therefore hope he will get the better services he wants.

[Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab)]

Further to his earlier answer, will the Secretary of State update us on links from HS2 to the continent before or after the summer recess?

[Mr McLoughlin]

It will be either one of those.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Timms and Lord McLoughlin

Thursday 7th November 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr McLoughlin]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend. He rightly says that he never loses an opportunity to make clear his objection to this viaduct. It was part of a route realignment which was done initially to help mitigate some of the effects around Lichfield, but once the Bill is deposited and following Second Reading there will, of course, be an opportunity for those directly affected to petition the Select Committee.

[Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab)]

Does the Secretary of State know of any other countries which, on building their second high-speed railway line, have chosen to connect it to the first via a single-track railway line with a capacity of three trains per hour?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Timms and Lord McLoughlin

Thursday 28th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr McLoughlin]

My hon. Friend now serves on the Select Committee, and will therefore be well able to keep an eye on these matters. We are always being asked for extra services, but I assure him that I am well aware of the case for Lincoln, especially in the light of the important celebrations that will take place next year. I will certainly consider it, and will judge it in the context of all the other opportunities that we have, and requests that we receive, for the provision of extra services.

[Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab)]

Does the Secretary of State agree that, following the interconnection between High Speed 1 and High Speed 2, we will need a greater capacity and three trains per hour?

[Mr McLoughlin]

At least the right hon. Gentleman is consistent. As I have said on several occasions, I will consider what he has said and try to ensure that we provide that connectivity. There is also the question of trains running directly from Old Oak Common to the continent, which we will need to judge as we judge all other matters relating to high-speed rail.

High Speed Rail

Debate between Stephen Timms and Lord McLoughlin

Monday 28th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr McLoughlin]

I very much recognise the position faced by the hon. Gentleman’s constituents as far as the great western line is concerned, and I have organised a special briefing for Members of Parliament from Network Rail about that section of the rail network. As a new member of the Transport Committee, the hon. Gentleman will want to keep that under guard.

[Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab)]

May I press the Secretary of State on the concern raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Garston and Halewood (Maria Eagle) about the HS2-HS1 interconnection? As I understand, under current proposals it will be limited to, at most, three trains per hour. As I am sure the Secretary of State will want trains from new HS2 destinations to run beyond London and across the channel, will we not have to do better than that with the interconnection?

[Mr McLoughlin]

I think I tried to address that in an earlier answer. Of course I want to look at how the connection works, and it will be possible to run some services from Old Oak Common direct to the continent if there is demand for that. We will certainly look at the issue, and at how the whole London interconnection works.