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Proceeding contribution from Lord Grayling (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 29 November 2017. It occurred during Ministerial statement on Rail Update.


Rail Update

On the hon. Gentleman’s latter point, my hon. Friend the Rail Minister has already extended an invitation to that meeting, so we will happily talk to the hon. Gentleman’s office this afternoon and fix a date. With regard to the midland main line, we are in the early stages of what is the biggest investment programme in the line since the 1870s. It will mean faster journeys and brand new trains, years earlier than would otherwise have been the case. We can deliver those new trains in 2021-22. We could wait several years more for those new trains. We could spend £1 billion more, but all we would be doing is saving a minute on the journey time to Sheffield. I could be wrong, but I do not think that would be a terribly good use of taxpayers’ money.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
632 c349 
Session
2017-19
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Compensation Finance Infrastructure Franchises East Coast main line Public consultation Railways Network Rail Standards Timetables Train operating companies Tickets Rolling stock South Eastern rail franchise Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern rail franchise East Coast rail franchise Great Western rail franchise
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on hansard.parliament.uk