Rail Network

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Transport – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 25 November 2008.

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Photo of Geoff Hoon Geoff Hoon Secretary of State, Department for Transport 2:30, 25 November 2008

I accept neither the hon. Gentleman's premise nor his conclusion. He is wrong on both counts. The assessments of capacity that have been made are in keeping with the extra capacity that the Government will make available in terms of our future plans for the rail network. As I have indicated in response to previous questions, it is important that we not only go on looking to improve capacity—not only at the various pinch-points in the network where there is clearly congestion and overcrowding—but consider the longer-term plans for new capacity, new lines, electrification and high-speed links. I have set that out very clearly to the House and I will go on doing so, at least until the hon. Gentleman starts listening.