Oral Answers to Questions

Robert Neill Excerpts
Thursday 18th January 2018

(6 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Johnson of Marylebone Portrait Joseph Johnson
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That is why it is so important that trains are being extended and replaced. The crucial thing is that, where there are delays, passengers are more aware of, and have easier access to, compensation schemes, and overall across the system over £73 million was paid in compensation in 2016-17, an increase of over 64% over the previous year.

Robert Neill Portrait Robert Neill (Bromley and Chislehurst) (Con)
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The compensation scheme works on the basis that the delays are an exception rather than the norm. Will the Minister sit down with me, or perhaps follow me on Twitter so that he can see the messages I have had every day since work was resumed after the holidays on south-east trains, with delays and disruption every day on every line?

Lord Johnson of Marylebone Portrait Joseph Johnson
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I share my hon. Friend’s concerns and sympathise greatly with the experience of his constituents and other constituents in that area. The Southeastern service is one of the most congested in the country, and it has been vulnerable to the impact of infrastructure failures. We are working closely to ensure closer working between the operator and Network Rail to secure a reduction of such problems in the future.