JOB CREATION AND THE GOVERNMENT'S THAMESLINK PROGRAMME

That this House welcomes the Thameslink modernisation programme whichbegan under the previous administration and is to be continued by the current administration; believes that this programme will provide considerable benefits to hundreds of thousands of passengers and the national economy; further believes the programme will benefit both direct employment at the new maintenance depots and jobs in the wider communities where the depots will be situated; is deeply concerned that delays in building these depots could jeopardise future benefits to passenger services, employment at the designated depots and the retention of skilled labour that is so vital to providing a safe and efficient railway; and calls on the Government, Network Rail and the local authorities concerned to ensure that the construction of depots at both Hornsey and Three Bridges is confirmed as soon as possible, as proposed in the original Government plans.