Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what operational requirements remain outstanding before passenger services can commence on the East West Rail line between Oxford and Milton Keynes; and what is her latest estimate is for the commencement of those services.

For passenger services to commence, trains will need to have been modified and fully tested and driver training will need to have been completed. Winslow Station also needs to be fully handed over and future staffing arrangements also remain to be agreed. Significant progress has been made, including the training of new drivers, completing a new colleague hub and driver depot at Bletchley, fitting out Winslow station and progressing the assurance activities required for the safe introduction of passenger services.

The Department continues to work closely with Chiltern Railways and other partners to confirm a start date for the first EWR services between Oxford and Milton Keynes.