RAILWAYS: SOUTH EAST
Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve asset resilience in the Sussex area of the South East Route; and if he will make a statement.
Claire Perry, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport: The latest Network Rail Delivery Plan for Control Period 5 is available at http://www.networkrail.co.uk/publications/delivery-plans/control-period-... Pages 129 and 130 set out asset management indicator tables for Sussex, specifically asset condition reliability and asset condition sustainability.
One of the key priorities in this new Parliament is to see train performance in the South-East improve. My officials and I have been working closely with the Chief Executive of Network Rail, Mark Carne, and the management teams of both Southeastern and Southern to understand the causes of the problems and the plans to solve the issue. I have also been chairing weekly meetings with senior members of Network Rail, Southeastern and Southern to ensure progress is being made.
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