Oral Answers to Questions

Tom Randall Excerpts

Thursday 17th March 2022 Commons Chamber

[Tom Randall (Gedling) (Con)]

7. What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the frequency of train services in Netherfield, Burton Joyce and Carlton returns to pre-covid-19 outbreak levels.

[The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Wendy Morton)]

The pandemic is changing travel habits and we are starting to see some substantial changes in passenger demand for rail travel. As covid recedes, we must ensure that services are adjusted to meet changes in passenger demand. We are working with operators to consider what further changes might be possible at these stations.

[Tom Randall]

There is a widespread view in Gedling that rail services could be improved. For example, Carlton recently lost its direct service to Matlock and many trains pass through Burton Joyce without stopping. I continue to have discussions with East Midlands Railway about how it might reach the maximum amount of services in its agreement with the Department. I would welcome the opportunity to meet my hon. Friend to discuss how Gedling’s stations might fulfil their potential.

[Wendy Morton]

I appreciate my hon. Friend raising the matter and can see what a hard-working campaigner he is for his constituents. I assure him that we are working with the operator to consider what further changes might be possible, subject to passenger demand and the cascading of trains into East Midlands Railway. I am happy to meet him to discuss this in more detail.