Leeds-Harrogate-York Line

HC Deb 09 June 1998 vol 313 cc514-5W

41. Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure an improvement in the quality of service on the Leeds-Harrogate-York line. [43270]

Ms Glenda Jackson

On 6 November 1997, the Minister for Transport issued to the Franchising Director new objectives, instructions and guidance which require him to manage the existing railway franchise contracts in the interest of passengers and to secure a progressive improvement in the quality of services. In the case of Leeds suburban services, the Franchising Director works with the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (PTE), which is also a signatory to the franchise contract, to achieve that. I understand that Railtrack is undertaking a project to increase a capacity on the western approaches to Leeds station and that Railtrack and the PTE regularly review available station capacity for peak services at Leeds. We propose to strengthen the powers available for the regulation of the railway to ensure the improvements in performance and service quality which we want to see.