East-West Rail

That this House regrets the continued delay to the introduction of passenger services between Oxford and Milton Keynes; notes that while the railway has successfully been running freight and charter trains, passenger services are still nowhere to be seen; further notes that passenger services were the principle reason for the East-West Rail project; condemns the Government for their lack of transparency, refusal to provide clear explanations on the reason for delay and their inability to meet planned start dates; sympathises with local residents and would-be passengers who were sold the promise of commuter services to London and elsewhere that are yet to materialise; recognises the further frustration caused to these residents by the Government's obstinance and equivocation; and calls on the Secretary of State for Transport to respond to the hon. Member for Didcot and Wantage and Liberal Democrat colleagues' letter of 24 March 2026 and provide clear timescales for the commencement of regular Oxford to Milton Keynes train services.