Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with (a) Network Rail and (b) Govia Thameslink Railway on the scheduled work programme on the Brighton Mainline in October 2018 and February 2019.

As part of the Government’s £300m programme of works to improve asset performance on the Brighton Mainline and Thameslink routes, Ministers and the Department’s officials have had regular discussions with Network Rail and Govia Thameslink Railway on the October 2018 and February 2019 works. The works in October 2018 and February 2019 will need to go through a number of industry readiness assessments and Ministers and officials have and will continue to challenge the rail industry to ensure the plans, and alternate travel arrangements for passengers, are appropriately robust.