Rob has intervened to ensure that the forthcoming redevelopment of Reading station includes the alterations necessary for Reading commuters to benefit from over £5 billion worth of investment in new trains and electrification for the Great Western and East Coast main lines.
Rob intervened during a statement to the House of Commons by the Secretary of State for Transport, Philip Hammond MP, who announced the Government was going ahead with a £4.5 billion investment in new trains to replace the existing fleet of ageing intercity high speed trains on the Great Western Main Line (GWML) and the East Coast Main Line (ECML). This will mean 500 new carriages which will provide 11,000 more peak-time seats for passengers, every day on the GWML and ECML. The new trains for the GWML will be delivered from 2016.
During the exchange in the House of Commons, Mr Wilson said: "I welcome the statement, particularly the increase in passenger capacity that will result. My Right Hon. Friend will be aware that over the next five years Reading station will undergo a major redevelopment through Government investment. Will he ensure that all necessary works for IEP and electrification are undertaken alongside the alterations made to Reading station, because I am sure that it would result in cost savings?"
Mr Hammond responded positively stating, "My hon. Friend makes a very sensible point. I will raise it at my next meeting with the chief executive of Network Rail, and ensure that it is being done in a properly co-ordinated manner".
Rob said later: "My constituents will be particularly pleased to hear that the Government is investing in additional carriages and peak time seating capacity."