Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to reduce the number of train cancellations and delays caused by predictable winter weather; and if he will make a statement.

The Department requires Train Operating Companies (TOCs) to put in place measures to avoid, where possible, the potential impact of disruption caused by a number of factors, including the weather. As such comprehensive winter checklists are in place between Network Rail and TOCs to mitigate the impacts of winter weather on punctuality and reliability. These include, but are not limited to: the use of snow and ice treatment trains; ice prevention on station platforms; and modifications to train fleets to reduce the chance of faults caused by snow.