Maynard cites importance of rail links to coastal towns
LABOUR mobility will be the biggest challenge to rail over the next decade, according to new Rail Minister Paul Maynard.
Speaking at an East Anglian Rail Summit at Westminster on September 7, and then at an All-Party Parliamentary reception for Rail North the same day (also at Westminster), Maynard highlighted the plights of coastal towns.
The Conservative MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys cited Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft as examples at the East Anglian summit, and then Blackpool at the APPG Rail in the North event. He said: “The importance of links to coastal towns is vital. It is always said these links bring people to the towns, and they do, but they are to help people get out of the towns for work.”
Maynard said that large schemes in the regions are key to transport plans, stating that it was really important for the rail industry to consider how it can assist people in thinking about how they can work, and how it can play a role in moving people.
He also warned that when it comes to new rail projects, “capacity has to be the key concern”. Highlighting hopedfor improvements to the Great Eastern Main Line, he said: “The importance of speed of journey is great. But bear in mind that that can cause delays while it is being introduced. Does the level of work required justify the disruption? The capacity is just as much of a driver of improvements as line speed.”
He added that effective collaboration was, in his mind, the only way for Network Rail to deliver projects.
“No one expects to see improvements without pain, but the quality of planning must manifest itself. Sensible planning can lead to better plans,” he said.
Maynard also spoke of a desire to make the transition between NR Control Periods seamless. Responding to a question about the Ely North Junction improvements, which have been delayed, he said: “Projects not being delivered entirely in CP5 can have preparation work started in CP5 even if the main work is carried out in CP6, so it becomes more seamless.”