HouseOfCommons
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Just for anyone interested, there was a debate in Parliament this morning on rolling stock on HS1, led by Damian Green - MP for Ashford.
He spoke of some of the issues with extending rolling stock on this line:
You can read the full transcript of the debate on Hansard.
You can watch it on parliamentlive.tv.
You can read a recent House of Commons Library Insight: On the right track? the future of rail services
He spoke of some of the issues with extending rolling stock on this line:
"Hitachi made the interesting point that the trains on the HS1 line are specifically designed for it and for the Southeastern conventional network. The trains use two different power sources and have three different signalling systems on board, so standard UK network trains cannot be used. How to extend or replace the rolling stock on this particular line is a special issue. Hitachi itself advises planning for a lead time in the order of four years before new train sets could come into service on the line—consider the design time, procurement, testing and approvals for a specialist product. For that timescale to be achieved, clarity on the future of the franchise at the earliest opportunity is vital."
Several other MPs with constituencies on the line made contributions to the debate. Transport Minister Chris Heaton-Harris responded, setting out the Government's position.
You can read the full transcript of the debate on Hansard.
You can watch it on parliamentlive.tv.
You can read a recent House of Commons Library Insight: On the right track? the future of rail services