Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the (a) performance of the Intercity Express Trains on the Great Western Railway and (b) ability of those trains to meet the requirements of the December 2019 timetable.

The industry timetable change assurance programme management office assesses all timetable bids for their deliverability, including the Great Western Railway 2019 timetable, and will work with all operators to ensure appropriate operational plans are in place to mitigate any outstanding risks to the smooth introduction of the timetable.