Question
T8. I think it is fair to say that there is disappointment on both sides of the House, following Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway’s open-access application being rejected because of concerns about capacity and reliability on the west coast main line. Is the Secretary of State confident that nationalising Avanti will result in the punctuality improvements and extra pathways needed to accommodate new services, which I hope can result in WSMR stopping at Aldridge railway station?
Answer
I share the right hon. Lady’s disappointment in the decision of the Office of Rail and Road. It can independently make that decision. My had supported the application for that new direct service, which would also have served places such as Shrewsbury. I will work with Network Rail, train operators and Great British Railways, when it is established, to consider all options for new direct services to London, as well as for that part of the route. Some of the investment coming in future years could enable that to happen, because I know how important that is to her constituents and other travellers in the region.17% vibes
Verdict: AMBER (30/100)
The reply only partly answers the question. It does not say whether bringing Avanti into public ownership will improve punctuality, and it expresses disappointment at the ORR decision and commits to considering options with partners. On the Wrexham/Shropshire service and the Aldridge stop, it says future investment could enable a service and that options will be considered, but it does not confirm that stopping at Aldridge is expected. Most of the answer is hedged and non-committal, so the person who asked would likely need to ask again for specifics.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the Secretary of State is confident that the nationalisation of Avanti will deliver the punctuality improvements and extra pathways needed to accommodate new services on the west coast main line. | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply never mentions the Avanti nationalisation or whether it will deliver punctuality gains. It only touches the question indirectly: it expresses disappointment at the ORR decision, commits to considering options for new direct services with partners, and says future investment could enable them, without stating any confidence about nationalisation's effect. |
| Whether the improvements the Secretary of State expects from nationalising Avanti could enable Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway services to stop at Aldridge railway station. | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply engages with the Wrexham/Shropshire service and Aldridge-area route, saying future investment could enable it and that options will be considered with Network Rail and operators. However, it attributes any enabling to unspecified 'investment' rather than to the Avanti nationalisation improvements the item asks about, and it never confirms that stopping at Aldridge is expected. |