Railways in Parliament

Greener Network Rail

HORNSEY and Wood Green MP Catherine West asked what steps the Government is taking to curtail the use of diesel trains on the rail network.

Transport Minister Chris HeatonHarris replied: “The Government is ensuring the railway plays its part in delivering our ambitions to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and to reduce air pollution created by transport.

“We continue to expand the electrified rail network where it delivers passenger and environmental benefits and value for money. This allows removal of diesel trains. For example from January, electric trains can run between London and Cardiff.

“Network Rail is developing a traction decarbonisation network strategy to inform Government decisions on the scale and pace of further rail decarbonisation, and the reduced use of diesel trains that this will require.”

Skipon-Colne scrutiny

BURNLEY MP Antony Higginbotham asked what assessment the Government has made of the potential economic benefits to Burnley of improvements to rail connectivity in and around the East Lancashire area.

Mr Heaton-Harris replied: “The Government supported the reopening of the Todmorden Curve in 2015, which has allowed a new faster and direct train service between Manchester Victoria and Burnley, opening up job prospects and tourist and leisure opportunities.

“Work is progressing to assess the potential role of a reopened Skipton to Colne rail line to deliver real benefits for passengers in East Lancashire, freight users and the local economy to complement the initial strategic outline business case completed in December 2018.

“These will inform the Government’s decision as to whether a reinstatement scheme should progress to the ‘develop’ stage of the Rail Network enhancements pipeline.

“More widely, to help communities both in East Lancashire and across the country, we have pledged £500million to start reopening lines closed following the Beeching report.”

Fares trials funding

HOVE MP Peter Kyle asked what steps the Government is taking to make rail travel more affordable.

Mr Heaton-Harris said: “The Government has frozen regulated rail fares in line with inflation for the seventh year in a row.

“In addition, we have already cut costs for thousands of young people with the 16-17 Saver railcard, and announced our intention to establish a new ‘fares trials fund’ to explore the benefits and costs of a clearer, more flexible and fairer fares system.

“Fares revenue is crucial to funding day-to-day railway operations and the massive upgrade programme we are delivering, all of which benefit passengers.”

Reversing Beeching cuts

LORD Greaves asked the

Government how the fund for reopening railway lines closed by the Beeching cuts will be administered, and how decisions will be made on which lines it will be used for.

Transport Minister Baroness Vere of Norbiton said: “To help communities across the country, we have pledged £500million to start reopening lines closed following the Beeching report, reconnecting smaller towns, regenerating local economies and improving accessibility to jobs, homes and education.

“Further details will be announced in due course.”