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Written question asked by Tom Tugendhat (Conservative) on Monday, 16 March 2020, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 18 March 2020. It was answered by Chris Heaton-Harris (Conservative) on Tuesday, 24 March 2020 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Maidstone Line

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions (a) he, (b) his predecessors, (c) current and former Ministers and (d) officials have had with GTR on making available an adequate level of rolling stock for the Thameslink service on the Maidstone East line.

Answer

Officials held a number of discussions from late 2018 until late 2019 with GTR and within the cross-industry group, the Thameslink Timetable Industry Readiness Board, to consider rolling stock provision for a Thameslink Maidstone East service. Ministers have not met with GTR specifically to discuss rolling stock provision for a Thameslink Maidstone East service, but do regularly engage with GTR on a wide range of issues.

We know how important it is to introduce the long awaited regular services between Maidstone East and the City as soon as possible. My officials continue to work with the industry to resolve the issues which have so far prevented a regular service from being introduced and to provide passengers in Maidstone with a regular all-day service to the City at the earliest opportunity. We will endeavour to arrange a meeting between my Honourable Friend, other relevant MPs and senior representatives from GTR and Network Rail to update on the situation and the work that is ongoing to find a solution as soon as practically possible in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
30020
Session
2019-21
Related items
Maidstone Line
Friday, 11 December 2020
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Rolling stock Govia Thameslink Railway Maidstone line
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk