Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timeframe is for the start of improvements on Cheltenham and Gloucester to London rail services; and if he will make a statement.

Great Western Railway is planning to introduce its enhanced timetable on 15 December this year. This sees the current two-hourly through train service between Cheltenham, Gloucester and London increased to hourly. The new timetable is currently being developed through the rail industry's timetabling process led by Network Rail.