§ 36. Miss KirkbrideTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans for the future of the rail network. [47658]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonOur proposals for improving the regulation of the railways will be set out in our forthcoming White Paper on integrated transport. We will establish a new strategic rail authority to provide clear, coherent and accountable regulation of the network, and ensure that the railways are run firmly in the public interest.
§ 40. Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the reliability of train services between England and Wales. [47662]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonWe recognise that delays and cancellation have been disrupting many services into Wales, particularly those provided by Great Western. The Franchising Director has recently imposed a performance penalty system on Great Western to incentivise better performance.