Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when (a) Network Rail and (b) the East Coast Franchise Operator first notified his Department that the scheduled additional train services between London Kings Cross, Shipley and Bradford would not meet the 2019 timescale set out in the franchise.

The Department became aware in late 2018 that the additional train services would not be delivered in May 2019 due to delays to the delivery of the IEP fleet and as a consequence of the revised industry approach to timetable development following the May 2018 timetable change. Following our recent meeting on this issue, I look forward to working with my Honorable Friend to ensure these services are delivered as soon as is feasible.