Debates between Mike Wood and Kevin Foster during the 2019 Parliament

Tue 25th Oct 2022

Avanti West Coast Contract Renewal

Debate between Mike Wood and Kevin Foster
Tuesday 25th October 2022

(1 year, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts

Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.

Each Urgent Question requires a Government Minister to give a response on the debate topic.

This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record

Mike Wood Portrait Mike Wood (Dudley South) (Con)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

Many of my constituents in Dudley South have been let down badly by the inability of Avanti West Coast to operate an acceptable level of service. How many more chances will Avanti have before its faces the consequences of its failings?

Kevin Foster Portrait Kevin Foster
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

As I have touched on, we have made it clear that we will follow due process. We have been clear in our comments to Avanti that the six-month extension is not an indication of what our long-term view is. It is effectively a probationary period, and we expect to see significant improvements in the services on the line before April. As I have touched on, the OLR is making preparations that would be necessary if it had to step in at that point.