Question
My constituents rely on the Cross-City line to get them in and out of Birmingham, but the last train back from Birmingham in the evening does not run as far as Lichfield, meaning that we cannot make the most of the nightlife there. As Christmas approaches, does the Secretary of State agree that it is time to change that and boost the evening service from New Street to Lichfield City, so that my constituents can make the best of Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas market?
Answer
I thank my hon. Friend for his tireless campaigning on rail issues, and I know these services would make a real difference for his constituents over the Christmas period. I welcome the work done by West Midlands Trains and the local community on developing proposals for this trial. I think our publicly owned railways should work in the service of passengers, and these extra trains would be a great example of that. I very much back his call for this trial to take place.50% vibes
Verdict: AMBER (64/100)
The minister clearly backs the proposal for a trial of extra trains, saying the government 'very much' supports the call and that the extra services would make a real difference for constituents over Christmas. The reply is direct on the question of whether the service should be boosted, but it confirms no funding, route, or timetable for the trial. A constituent would know where the government stands, but would probably need to ask follow-up questions about when and how the trial would happen.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the Secretary of State agrees that the evening rail service from Birmingham New Street to Lichfield City should be boosted, so that the last train back from Birmingham runs as far as Lichfield. | Addressed | Direct | The reply clearly endorses the proposal: the minister says they 'very much back his call for this trial to take place' and that the extra trains 'would make a real difference' for constituents over Christmas, which answers whether the service should be boosted. It is light on concrete commitments (no funding, route, or timetable is confirmed), so the support is a clear position rather than a detailed mechanism. |