Question to the Department for Transport

To ask Her Majesty's Government what effect recent decisions to reduce the previously announced intended extent of route electrification of the Great Western franchise will have on journey times of bi-modal trains.

Answer (Lord Callanan)

The Intercity Express bi-mode trains being introduced from this autumn will deliver the existing Great Western Main Line timetable.

The Department for Transport is working with Network Rail and Hitachi to ensure delivery of journey times reduced by around 15minutes once electrification between London, Bristol and South Wales is complete. These new bi-mode trains, capable of operating in electric and diesel mode, mean that we can improve journeys for passengers without disruptive work to put up wires and masts along routes where they are no longer required.