Transport

The Government's position, as outlined by the first speaker, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Simon Lightwood, is that officials will continue to work with Chiltern Railways to support the delivery of its fleet renewal programme and explore options to expedite the procurement of additional trains. Lightwood stated that Chiltern's business case is assessing both like-for-like and enhanced capacity rolling stock options, with a final decision to be made based on value for money and affordability. In response, the official opposition spokesperson, Dr Kieran Mullan, questioned the Secretary of State's negotiating position with trade unions, asking how she plans to recover from a "weak negotiating position" for future rounds and what progress has been made on proposals for a pay review body for public rail workers. The subsequent debate covered a wide range of topics, including efforts to mitigate disruption during the construction of Old Oak Common station, concerns over level crossing issues and engineering works in constituencies, and the Government's plans to improve road safety, particularly in tackling the problem of "boy racers". The discussion also touched on the development of mass transit systems in the West Midlands and Leeds, with the Government highlighting the funding allocated and the work being done in partnership with local authorities. The issue of driving test waiting times was raised, with the Secretary of State acknowledging the problem and outlining steps being taken to reduce the backlog. Concerns were expressed about maritime safety breaches outside UK territorial waters, the progress of Midland Main Line electrification, and the transport needs of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The debate also covered the Government's plans to improve local bus services, promote walking and cycling, and enhance transport connectivity within city regions. Throughout the debate, the Government representatives, including the Secretary of State Louise Haigh and other ministers, defended their record and outlined their plans to address the various issues raised by members across the House.