Railways: Watford

Sir Malcolm Rifkind
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what her policy is on Southern Trains' proposal to withdraw its Watford to Brighton service; if she will make it her policy to preserve the Watford to Brighton service through conversion of trains to dual-voltage to operate on Thameslink; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Tom Harris
While there are some trains that could be converted from single- to dual-voltage, those trains are all in full use on other services from which they cannot be released, and therefore not available to preserve the Watford to Brighton service. The Government have already announced the intention to procure 1,300 additional vehicles for the rail network in England and Wales between 2008 and 2014.

Sir Malcolm Rifkind
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the likely effect of the withdrawal of Southern Trains' Watford to Brighton service on passengers with disabilities or heavy luggage required to change platforms at Clapham Junction.

Mr. Tom Harris
Clapham Junction is one of 92 stations selected for major improvements as part of the £370 million “Access for All” project. This will benefit all those passengers with disabilities who may need to change trains at Clapham Junction, including the few who wish to travel between Watford and Brighton.