Hywel Williams – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Hywel Williams on 2014-03-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the London to Holyhead railway service will remain an express service after the creation of High Speed 2.

Stephen Hammond

No such assessment has been made. The opening of High Speed 2 will release capacity for train services on existing lines, including on the West Coast Main Line. Precise details of stopping patterns will be resolved when the relevant rail franchises are let in due course.

In the meantime, we will shortly announce a transparent and participatory process to consider long-term issues, opportunities and options for rail services on HS2 corridors.

We are also working with the Welsh Government who are developing a business case for the electrification of the North Wales Main Line.