Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate the Government has made of the number of direct inter-city rail services which will run between London and Wolverhampton after the completion of High Speed 2.

It is too early to set the timetable which will operate when HS2 opens, as this should take into account up to date information on demand. The winning bidder for the West Coast Partnership will develop options for train services on the West Coast Main Line corridor, working with bodies including central and local Government, and industry to consider both HS2 and existing routes. This process will be open and consultative.

The Government’s aim is that all places with a direct London service retain a broadly comparable or better service after Phase One opens.