HC Deb 15 July 2003 vol 409 c165W
13. Helen Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to improve the rail network in northern England. [125446]

Mr. McNulty

The Strategic Rail Authority's Strategic Plan sets out investment priorities and describes how delivery of the key targets in our 10-Year Transport Plan will be achieved. The SRA is in the process of establishing two new franchises for the north of England, which will separate long-distance and local services to allow concentrated management attention within each market.