Govia Thameslink/Rail Electrification

Tracy Brabin Excerpts
Tuesday 3rd July 2018

(5 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Tracy Brabin Portrait Tracy Brabin (Batley and Spen) (Lab/Co-op)
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My constituents are still experiencing delays, overcrowding and cancellations. In every meeting I have attended with TransPennine, Northern and the Secretary of State, I have been reassured that everything will be okay once we get electrification going. The Secretary of State is saying that we do not need to electrify all of every route, so will the Minister reassure the House now that, when electrification goes ahead, it will be the whole route and there will not be cherry-picking of what is most financially viable?

Lord Johnson of Marylebone Portrait Joseph Johnson
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The Department wants to get the best value for passengers and taxpayers out of the £2.9 billion that has been set aside for the trans-Pennine route upgrade. All Members of the House should be able to understand that objective. The Department is currently awaiting Network Rail’s final project plan and we have instructed it to prioritise those elements that bring the quickest passenger benefits.