Improving rail connectivity in the South West

Meeting with Chancellor

Last November the 20 year plan for our rail network was submitted to government ministers by the Peninsula Rail Task Force (see www.peninsularailtaskforce.co.uk). It has been very well received.

In the autumn we will hear government’s response, but we can expect it to be positive, with more investment into our railway and backing for this region’s plans. In the meantime millions are being spent on making our vital rail link more resilient, around Dawlish and elsewhere.

Brand new state-or-the-art trains will be rolled out on our Paddington line from 2018, and the government has announced plans to radically improve on-board connectivity.

Plymouth will be getting a new railway station, hopefully in time for the Mayflower 400 celebrations. After many years of effort, finally we are seeing this region receive the infrastructure investment we deserve.

I have played an active part in achieving these improvements and recently met with the Chancellor to ensure they are on his agenda. I will to continue fighting the battle in the new Parliament, post the 2017 General Election. 

News

South West gains £2 billion transport investment

We have finally had the announcement we have all been waiting for. £2 billion of Government money invested in transport infrastructure across the South West - from Gloucester to Penzance.

Parliamentary Debate - Economic Growth: South West

Yesterday I led a debate on economic growth in the South West in Westminster Hall. A number of local MPs made contributions highlighting the successes and challenges we are experiencing across the region but especially in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. As we wait for news on the railway lin

Positive update on the railway line at Dawlish

Earlier this week I met with the Chair of the Peninsula Rail Task Force (PRTF), Councillor Andrea Davis, to talk about the progress being made on sorting the railway line at Dawlish. As we all know, the ongoing challenges at Dawlish continue to impact certain trains as they make their way to and fr

Budget 2018

The Chancellor delivered his latest Budget yesterday with plenty of good news for constituents across South West Devon. I am pleased that the Government is continuing to prioritise work on the sea wall at Dawlish.

Government Response to ‘Close the Gap’ Railway report

Back in January, after a number of South West Conservative MPs threatened to vote against the Government on a key HS2 vote in Parliament, we finally got some movement on the long-awaited Government response to the ‘Close the Gap’ railway report. The Peninsula Rail Task Force (PRTF) first presented

Significant progress made on rail improvements

Today, I received a letter (copy attached below) from the Secretary of State for Transport where he has promised to respond to the Peninsula Rail Task Force (PRTF) report by the end of February.

South West Growth Summit 2018

I was delighted to attend and address the South West Growth Summit 2017 in Exeter last week. A range of high profile speakers from across the region and beyond took part in the event, including Chris Loughlin, Chief Executive at Pennon (incorporating SouthWest Water), Rain Newton-Smith, Chief Econo

Easter Newsletter

I've recently published my second email newsletter to local supporters. If you're interested in having a read, you can find it here.