HL Deb 15 January 2004 vol 657 c97WA
Lord Bradshaw

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why the West Coast Main Line, especially the section north of Colwich, has received a large proportion of rail expenditure, when recently published figures show that this route has had a 6 per cent decline in passenger miles since privatisation, compared to an average 25 per cent rise on other intercity routes. [HL713]

Lord Davies of Oldham

Patronage on the West Coast Main Line reflects unreliability, limited capacity and restricted line speeds arising from past lack of investment. The Strategic Rail Authority's West Coast Route Modernisation Strategy is designed to remedy that.