East Coast Main Line Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

East Coast Main Line

Graham P Jones Excerpts
Wednesday 16th May 2018

(5 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Graham P Jones Portrait Graham P. Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab)
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Is the Secretary of State attributing all the problems on the east coast main line over the last few years to the franchise holders and none of them to his Department and him?

Chris Grayling Portrait Chris Grayling
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I attribute the problems on that line to two things: first, an unrealistic bid that has failed; and secondly, old rolling stock that is being replaced and an infrastructure that needs an upgrade and is going to get it. That is what has caused the operational problems—notwithstanding that, passenger satisfaction on that railway line is 92%,which I think is pretty good.