WEST COAST MAIN LINE

Early day motion 493, tabled 25 November 1997 by Helen Jones (Labour). Signed by 54 members.

That this House records its dismay at the poor service provided by Virgin Trains on the West Coast mainline; notes that a recent report from the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising found that this route's punctuality record of 74.7 per cent., set against a target of 90 per cent., was one of the worst in the country; further notes that other aspects of the service are deteriorating and that it is often impossible to board trains at Euston until moments before the train departs; declares its belief that an efficient and reliable rail service is vital to the economy for the North West of England; and calls upon Virgin Trains to take immediate steps to remedy defects in the service.

Signatures by party: Labour 46, Labour/Co-operative 3, Liberal Democrat 3, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1.