Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reasons his Department will not allow additional Transport for Wales train services to serve Bristol Temple Meads station.

Capacity on the rail network in the Bristol area is currently restricted. The Agency Agreement signed by the Secretary of State and Welsh Ministers sets out the limitations that needed to be considered by bidders for the current Wales & Borders franchise when they were developing their proposals in respect of English services. That restriction was put in place because capacity is limited in the Bristol area and, as well as additional services from Wales, local authorities in the Bristol area have been planning to upgrade Bristol local services for many years.

Upgrade works for the Bristol area network are currently being developed through the Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline process. Until these upgrade works are completed, it is not possible to allow bids for unplanned additional train services.

Given this background, bidders for the Wales & Borders franchise were advised not to propose English services on the route prior to completion of those works. That restriction continues in the new Wales & Borders franchise which started last October.

The new franchise operator (Transport for Wales Rail Services) will have the ability to bid for paths to Bristol during the life of the new 15-year franchise once any relevant infrastructure works are completed.