Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will include a requirement to upgrade Carlisle station in the next invitation to tender for the West Coast Mainline franchise.
Prior to the publication of the Intercity West Coast Invitation to Tender there will be a consultation on the specification of the next franchise. This consultation exercise will help to inform the development of the Invitation to Tender and I would welcome my Hon Friend to submit his ideas for Carlisle station.