Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of when the Office for Road and Rail will decide on the next phase new services on the West Coast Mainline.

ORR are currently considering multiple applications for access rights from public service operators on the West Coast Mainline to support service alterations and additions from the May 2026 timetable change.

Access to the rail network is currently a matter for the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) in its capacity as independent regulator for the rail industry. DfT is unable to direct ORR in its decision-making or to influence the timing of decisions.