Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she plans to review capacity and performance on the West Coast Main Line; and if she will consider the potential merits of removing unused reserved train slots and making the spare capacity available for new intercity services.

From December 2026, Network Rail’s new West Coast route will bring the West Coast Main Line from London Euston to the Anglo-Scottish border under single leadership structure, strengthening accountability and decision-making. Through the One West Coast programme, the industry is working to a single plan to improve performance and outcomes for passengers and freight. This supports wider improvements recently highlighted by the Secretary of State. These include an additional £10 million for infrastructure by the end of 2027, alongside £840 million already committed to power supply upgrades, West Coast North modernisation and Crewe station renewals. A further £50 million will improve Euston over three years, with investment at other stations and work to improve onboard Wi-Fi and 5G. Future timetables will balance additional connectivity with reliable passenger and freight services. The West Coast Main Line is currently operating at capacity, including the provision of necessary freight paths, however, the opening of HS2 will provide an opportunity to recast the timetable and consider how capacity can best be used.