"Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for allowing a debate on the electrification of the Chase line, which is the line from Walsall, just outside Birmingham, to Rugeley in my Staffordshire constituency.
The Chase line is actually a key section of a longer rail route running from Birmingham New Street up …..." Aidan Burley - View Speech
"The short answer is absolutely, and I shall say more about that later. One of the startling facts that I discovered when researching for my speech was that the electrification of the line has been a project for various council administrations and Members of Parliament of all colours since the …..." Aidan Burley - View Speech
"Indeed. I believe that the exact figure is 1,386, and that is part of the economic case that I hope to put to the Minister this evening.
Since the general election, the upgrading of the Chase line has been one of my key priorities. I have been working closely with …..." Aidan Burley - View Speech
"As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, the railways have undergone a renaissance in recent times and it seems perverse that at a time when more and more people wish to use the railways we are in effect forcing them on to roads that are already heavily congested. I am …..." Aidan Burley - View Speech
Given the history of this scheme, it is astonishing that this small 15-mile section of track has not already been electrified. The scheme originally had a high-profile inclusion in the former Railtrack network management statement in 1999, including a detailed pre-feasibility study showing it was deliverable. It was again …..." Aidan Burley - View Speech
"I thank the hon. Lady for her intervention, and I will come on to deal with HS2 and the way it connects up a little later in my speech, when I believe I will address her question. I also thank her for signing the letter to the Secretary of State, …..." Aidan Burley - View Speech