asked Her Majesty's Government:

What improvements are to be made to the west coast main line in the next 12 months. [HL4574]

The Government are investing £8.8 billion in the modernisation of infrastructure on the west coast main line, incorporating such large-scale projects as the four-tracking of the route in the Trent Valley and a new layout at Milton Keynes.

Following completion of this work, a new timetable will be issued in December 2008 that will deliver a 45 per cent increase in long-distance services from London. Passengers will enjoy more seats, more frequent trains, new services and faster journey times.