Written Question: Railway Open Access

Lord Moylan: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport on 21 October (HC34372), what plans they have to support the expansion of open-access passenger rail services where sufficient network capacity exists; and what assessment they have made of the impact of the Railways Bill on the ability of new open-access operators to enter the market.

Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, CBE):

The Government supports Open Access where there is available capacity and it provides benefits for passengers and taxpayers. The Railways Bill will ensure that Great British Railways will be responsible for making best use of the railway, ensuring that capacity is fully utilised for the benefit of passengers and rail users. This will include assessment of new Open Access applications. Where such proposals represent best use they can expect to be granted capacity on the railway.