Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the economic effect on the (a) South West region and (b) UK of the lack of new rolling stock available to train companies; and if he will make a statement.

The Government and the private sector has continued to invest in new rolling stock in the South West and in other regions to provide improved services for passengers.

The market for new rolling stock in the UK has become increasingly vibrant in recent years, with a number of manufacturers competing to provide new rolling stock to the UK’s train operating companies.

Train operators are not seeing a shortage of train manufacturing companies or financiers offering new rolling stock for the UK’s rail network.

Over 1,900 new vehicles were ordered in 2016 alone.

Great Western Railway are acquiring 29 brand new bi-mode trains to operate services to the South West of England.

Nationally passengers will see over 5,000 new vehicles delivered to operators between now and the end of 2020.