§ Andy BurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans he has to improve the rail services between Liverpool and Manchester serving parts of the Wigan borough; [87245]
(2) when he expects the Strategic Rail Authority to publish the structure of the franchise to run rail services in the north of England. [87242]
§ Mr. JamiesonWigan is currently served by the First North Western franchise. The SRA is planning to combine services currently operated by First North Western and Arriva Trains Northern to form new Transpennine Express (TPE) and Northern franchises. TPE will run inter-city services across the north, including between Liverpool and Manchester. Northern will operate rural and urban services. The SRA expects to issue documentation about the structure of the Northern franchise early in 2003.
Information about the franchise replacement programme and the composition of franchises can be found on the Strategic Rail Authority's website at www.sra.gov.uk
§ Andy BurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultation he plans to have with hon. Members on the structure of the new franchise for services and stations in the north of England. [87640]
§ Mr. JamiesonIt is primarily for the Strategic Rail Authority to determine the structure of franchises. As a matter of course, the Authority consults during the replacement process—including with local authorities, Passenger Transport Executives, RegionalAssemblies and the Rail Passengers Committees.
701W