HC Deb 05 March 2002 vol 381 cc138-40
4. Dr. Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes, South-West)

What discussions he has had with the Strategic Rail Authority on the allocation of track space on the west coast main line between different operators. [36647]

The Minister for Transport (Mr. John Spellar)

The Strategic Rail Authority is leading a review, with the input of principal stakeholders, of the outputs to be delivered from the west coast upgrade, including an assessment of how capacity should he utilised to meet the requirements of the many different users of the line. The SRA is keeping the Department in touch with developments.

Dr. Starkey

My right hon. Friend will be aware that my constituents, although pleased about the upgrade and its effect on inter-city services, are seriously concerned about Virgin having exclusive use of the fast lines and squeezing everyone else on to the slow lines. In particular, we are concerned about a deterioration in the county services that commuters use heavily in the mornings and evenings and about the loss of the Rugby to Brighton service north of Watford. Will he assure me that the Strategic Rail Authority will give proper consideration to the needs of all my constituents and those of my hon. Friends who represent Northampton and Watford, and not just consider the Virgin—

Hon. Members

Order.

Mr. Speaker

Order.

Mr. Spellar

That was rather ungallant of Opposition Members as a serious point was being made. It is clear from this afternoon's proceedings that Opposition Members are not interested in making serious points on behalf of their constituents; they are interested only in point scoring.

Two issues are involved here. One is the reduction in the number of paths while modernisation work is being undertaken on the west coast main line. As I understand it, that is having an immediate effect on the service to Gatwick and beyond that my hon. Friend described. Secondly, the Strategic Rail Authority is engaged in significant discussions—not only with Virgin and other train operators but with freight companies—about full use of the paths after modernisation of the west coast main line is completed.

We need to consider how the questions that my hon. Friend raises will be dealt with. I accept that the service has been reduced in the short term, but in the meantime passengers will be able to change between the two services at Watford.

Chris Grayling (Epsom and Ewell)

The Government have paid a great deal of attention to the west coast main line, but they have quietly dropped from their 10-year plan proposals to build crossrail and to upgrade the Great Western line. Is that related to the fact that, according to the Department's own forecast, public sector investment in the railways will be 30 per cent. lower in 2010 than it was in 1995?

Mr. Spellar

That is fine cheek, coming from a member of a party that did nothing about crossrail when in government. We are working with the City, Transport for London and the Strategic Rail Authority to decide on the paths for the project. The project has always been long term and has nothing to do with the 10-year plan. We would not have to deal with the issue now if the hon. Gentleman's party had got on with it a lot earlier.

Andrew Bennett (Denton and Reddish)

Does my right hon. Friend accept that, although commuters in Greater Manchester are prepared to put up with a deterioration in the service while the west coast main line is being upgraded, they want the certainty that services will be restored to at least their former level, if not improved?

Mr. Spellar

I will draw my hon. Friend's comments to the attention of the SRA, which, as I said, is involved in ongoing discussions with train operators and other operators on the line. As he fully understands and as he pointed out to his constituents, some disruption will occur while the line is being modernised, but there will be considerable improvements for rail travellers and a shift in passenger transport.