Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chris Heaton-Harris and Giles Watling

Thursday 12th March 2020 Commons Chamber

[Giles Watling (Clacton) (Con)]

T2. Greater Anglia, which runs the trains round our way, is currently introducing a £1.4 billion fleet of brand new trains—very good. Among other benefits, that will support the local economy and tackle social exclusion. However, the great eastern main line needs to be upgraded quickly. What steps is the Department taking to ensure that key upgrades, such as the Bow junction remodelling, extra loops between Chelmsford and Colchester, and the provision of digital signalling, are delivered within the next five to 10 years?

[The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Chris Heaton-Harris)]

The new Greater Anglia train fleet will certainly deliver many benefits, including extra passenger capacity on the great eastern main line. I am particularly interested, too, in seeing the results of the great eastern main line taskforce study work on the upgrades my hon. Friend mentions, and the renewal of the strategic outline business case and wider economic benefit studies so we can move forward.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chris Heaton-Harris and Giles Watling

Thursday 30th January 2020 Commons Chamber

[Chris Heaton-Harris]

I hear what my hon. Friend says. There is an argument for open access on our railways. The Williams review, which will report in the near future, will provide an opportunity to debate the issue at quite some length. I very much look forward to having that debate with my hon. Friend because he has some positive ideas.

[Giles Watling (Clacton) (Con)]

15. Does my hon. Friend agree that we should extend contactless payment throughout the south-east, and perhaps even out to the coastline of Clacton?

[Chris Heaton-Harris]

I very much agree with my hon. Friend. Yeah, why not?