Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the long term effect of open access operators closing on rail connectivity in the affected regions.
The Government recognises the importance of rail connectivity for all communities and regions and we continue to monitor the situation and to work closely with all open access operators. The Government is aware of the services that open access operators provide and would consider measures to ensure all geographic areas are served effectively by the railway should they be required, and no community loses connectivity.