Nuneaton MP Marcus Jones used the opportunity of a statement delivered by the Transport Secretary to make the case for fast off-peak rail services to Nuneaton during a Commons debate on Monday 29 October.

The active local MP made his latest bid to improve services for Nuneaton passengers after the Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughl in, disclosed to the House of Commons that he was in negotiations with Virgin Trains over the interim arrangements for Virgin to continue on the busy route after the original West Coast Main Line franchise was scrapped.

The Secretary of State also said that in the interim arrangements they were trying to bring forward an improved timetable. Marcus seized the opportunity to appeal to the Minister to consider better off-peak fast services to Nuneaton during his negotiations.

The Secretary of State said that he took the Nuneaton MPs representation “very seriously”.

Marcus, who has campaigned for better rail services for Nuneaton since he was elected to Parliament in 2010, said: “It was a great opportunity to again put the case for better fast off-peak services from Nuneaton. Despite the loss of our fast off-peak services in 2008, passenger numbers using Nuneaton station continue to rise. The demand is there and that’s why I will continue to make the case for better fast services.

“I now hope to follow up my question in the Commons with a meeting with the Minister to make further representations and to put the strong case forward for our town to have fast off-peak rail services.”