On Monday 5 December I asked the Transport Minister, Paul Maynard MP, what more the Government will be doing to fix the three biggest problems with Southern Rail – the poor infrastructure, GTR’s inability to run the Southern franchise and the strike action from the RMT union. My question and his answer are below –
- Chris Philp MP (Croydon South)
Residents in Croydon have been suffering from the terrible service for many months now. Does the Minister agree that this is partly due to track and infrastructure failings, partly due to GTR’s incompetence, and partly due to the intransigence of the RMT? Will he commit to spending money on fixing the points and signals and, if the RMT cannot be prevailed upon to call off this needless strike, will he consider legislating to ban such strike action on critical public infrastructure?
- Paul Maynard, Minister for Transport
My hon. Friend is right to identify the fact that the line will need investment, not just the £20 million that we have already put in, which will support the work of Chris Gibb, but the money to ensure that one of the most overburdened parts of our network is able to properly meet the needs of those who rely on it to get to work, to school and to all the other activities that life depends on in the south-east.
