Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 9 February 2021 to Question 147963, what assessment he has made of the potential level of disruption during the Transpennine route upgrade.

TRU is a major upgrade which will provide significant benefits to passengers in the North. Delivering the upgrade will mean that passenger and freight services on the route will be disrupted. Network Rail are reviewing the Strategic Access Plan principles for TRU and engaging with industry stakeholders to examine how different access agreements may be of benefit in limiting disruption where possible. A TRU Customer Manifesto has been developed to assist the train operating companies in developing and delivery of effective customer management plans, including a commitment to keeping passengers on a train as often as possible, moving on time and in comfort. We aim to provide as much notice as possible for any disruption along the route.