LICHFIELD’S MP has welcomed plans to nationalise the country’s railways.
Dave Robertson spoke during a debate on the Railways Bill in the House of Commons.
The Government has already taken three rail franchises back into public control as part of wider nationalisation plans.
It has also unveiled branding for the new Great British Railways trains this month.
Dave Robertson, Labour MP for Lichfield, said he welcomed the overhaul of rail travel, adding it would “unite the network into a simple system delivering better journeys, simpler fares and fewer delays for passengers”.
He said:
“After years of falling standards under the Conservatives, this Labour government is investing in our railways.
“Anyone who commutes from Lichfield to London as I do will know how sorely needed this is. We’ve all had trains cancelled or re-routed, and been crammed in with standing room only.
“Great British Railways is the biggest overhaul to our rail system in a generation. It will run our trains, set the timetable and control track, stations and depots.
“It’s about putting our railways back in taxpayers hands – a public service under public control.”
The MP also spoke during the debate about the impact the HS2 project has had on the lives of local residents in and around Lichfield.
He said:
“Great British Railways will be a step change compared to some of the difficulties constituents in Fradley, Handsacre and especially Streethay have had with HS2 where there have been years of delay and disruption.
“This Government is putting new management in place at HS2 to sort it out and I know the Transport Secretary will be holding them to account.
“It’s important that we get this right because the failings of HS2 have been so significant for so long.
“Continuing under the way the previous Government ran our railways is clearly not the way forward.”
