Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has he made of the ability of the (a) Greater Anglia and (b) South Western rail franchises to (i) provide and (ii) deliver new train services under their franchise agreements.

The Greater Anglia and South Western Railway Franchise Agreements set out the requirements to deliver new train services. Both operators are following the normal rail industry timetable development processes. Delivery of Franchise Agreement obligations are subject to on-going monitoring and discussion with the Train Operators. This is part of the Department’s routine Franchise management of these contracts.