Officials will continue to work with Children Railways to support the delivery of its fleet renewal programme to improve passenger experience and drive sustainable growth across the region. Chiltern is exploring options to expedite its procurement of additional trains while following robust assurance steps to ensure that it has a strong business case that delivers value for money for the taxpayer.

Officials will continue to work with Children Railways to support the delivery of its fleet renewal programme to improve passenger experience and drive sustainable growth across the region. Chiltern is exploring options to expedite its procurement of additional trains while following robust assurance steps to ensure that it has a strong business case that delivers value for money for the taxpayer.

Chiltern Railways has the oldest fleet of any operator at over 30 years of age, and additional capacity is needed to meet the demands of my constituents in Solihull West and Shirley. While I welcome the Department’s commitment to reducing overcrowding by moving more rolling stock to where it is needed in the network, can the Minister expand on the specific steps the Department is taking to reduce overcrowding on the Chiltern main line?

Chiltern Railways has the oldest fleet of any operator at over 30 years of age, and additional capacity is needed to meet the demands of my constituents in Solihull West and Shirley. While I welcome the Department’s commitment to reducing overcrowding by moving more rolling stock to where it is needed in the network, can the Minister expand on the specific steps the Department is taking to reduce overcrowding on the Chiltern main line?

Chiltern’s business case assesses both like-for-like and enhanced capacity rolling stock options. Like-for-like offers similar capacity to the current fleet but more modern trains to deliver a better customer proposition. Enhanced capacity would enable Chiltern to run more services to relieve crowding. Both options are still under consideration ahead of further market engagement. A final decision will be made taking into consideration value for money and affordability.

Chiltern’s business case assesses both like-for-like and enhanced capacity rolling stock options. Like-for-like offers similar capacity to the current fleet but more modern trains to deliver a better customer proposition. Enhanced capacity would enable Chiltern to run more services to relieve crowding. Both options are still under consideration ahead of further market engagement. A final decision will be made taking into consideration value for money and affordability.

If she will take steps to help expedite the approval of additional trains to increase capacity on Chiltern Railways.

If she will take steps to help expedite the approval of additional trains to increase capacity on Chiltern Railways.

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Gower on 6 March (HL2701), whether they have received any representations from Chiltern Railways about ending the direct access services between Northolt Junction and Paddington.

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Gower on 6 March (HL2701), whether they have received any representations from Chiltern Railways about ending the direct access services between Northolt Junction and Paddington.

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to reinstate direct access from Northolt Junction to Paddington.

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to reinstate direct access from Northolt Junction to Paddington.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department holds data on the number of passengers that buy tickets from railway stations on the (a) West Coast Mainline and (b) Chiltern Mainline.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department holds data on the number of passengers that buy tickets from railway stations on the (a) West Coast Mainline and (b) Chiltern Mainline.

Overcrowding on Chiltern services from stations such as Haddenham and Thame Parkway and Princes Risborough has become beyond unacceptable. That will only get worse if Chiltern is forced to discontinue the Class 68 loco-hauled trains, as expected. Will my right hon. Friend agree to enable the continued use of these trains until Chiltern can complete its full planned fleet renewal?

Overcrowding on Chiltern services from stations such as Haddenham and Thame Parkway and Princes Risborough has become beyond unacceptable. That will only get worse if Chiltern is forced to discontinue the Class 68 loco-hauled trains, as expected. Will my right hon. Friend agree to enable the continued use of these trains until Chiltern can complete its full planned fleet renewal?

I am able to tell my hon. Friend that officials in the Department are already working with Chiltern on looking at how we deal with those issues. I know that the rail Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Bexhill and Battle (Huw Merriman), will be delighted to meet him to give him more detail of the work already under way so that we can deliver a better service for his constituents.

I am able to tell my hon. Friend that officials in the Department are already working with Chiltern on looking at how we deal with those issues. I know that the rail Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Bexhill and Battle (Huw Merriman), will be delighted to meet him to give him more detail of the work already under way so that we can deliver a better service for his constituents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Chiltern mainline contract is due for renewal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Chiltern mainline contract is due for renewal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has received representations on noise and disturbance as a result of the decision by Chiltern Railway to use Wrexham diesel express buggies trains on the Marylebone to South Ruislip line; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has received representations on noise and disturbance as a result of the decision by Chiltern Railway to use Wrexham diesel express buggies trains on the Marylebone to South Ruislip line; and if he will make a statement.

I again thank all noble Lords for their contributions. On the final point made by the noble Lord, Lord Rosser, I have already alluded to the fact that the Government will look to publish their response to the Select Committee report next week, which will certainly cover the two questions...

I again thank all noble Lords for their contributions. On the final point made by the noble Lord, Lord Rosser, I have already alluded to the fact that the Government will look to publish their response to the Select Committee report next week, which will certainly cover the two questions...

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to replace the Class 170 units transferred to Chiltern Railways from the Transpennine Manchester to Cleethorpes service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to replace the Class 170 units transferred to Chiltern Railways from the Transpennine Manchester to Cleethorpes service.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what involvement they have had in discussions relating to the transfer of trains from Trans-Pennine Express services to the Chiltern franchise; which bodies initiated and sanctioned that transfer; when it will take place; what class of trains will be transferred; and what is their assessment...

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what involvement they have had in discussions relating to the transfer of trains from Trans-Pennine Express services to the Chiltern franchise; which bodies initiated and sanctioned that transfer; when it will take place; what class of trains will be transferred; and what is their assessment...

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether (a) she, (b) Ministers in her Department and (c) officials in her Department have had discussions with Chiltern Railways on reductions in services on the Marylebone to High Wycombe line; and if she will make a statement.

[109043]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether (a) she, (b) Ministers in her Department and (c) officials in her Department have had discussions with Chiltern Railways on reductions in services on the Marylebone to High Wycombe line; and if she will make a statement.

[109043]

My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Norman Baker) has made the following Ministerial Statement. I have decided to impose a penalty on Chiltern Railways of £350,000, having taken account of the outcome of a statutory consultation process. The penalty relates to four breaches of the terms...

My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Norman Baker) has made the following Ministerial Statement. I have decided to impose a penalty on Chiltern Railways of £350,000, having taken account of the outcome of a statutory consultation process. The penalty relates to four breaches of the terms...

I have decided to impose a penalty on Chiltern Railway of £350,000, having taken account of the outcome of a statutory consultation process. The penalty relates to four breaches of the terms of the company's franchise agreement which occurred before management of Chiltern transferred to Arriva UK trains in early...

I have decided to impose a penalty on Chiltern Railway of £350,000, having taken account of the outcome of a statutory consultation process. The penalty relates to four breaches of the terms of the company's franchise agreement which occurred before management of Chiltern transferred to Arriva UK trains in early...

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of (a) the remaining capacity on the West Coast Main Line and (b) the maximum increase in capacity from upgrading the Chilterns Line if High Speed Two is not constructed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of (a) the remaining capacity on the West Coast Main Line and (b) the maximum increase in capacity from upgrading the Chilterns Line if High Speed Two is not constructed.