Last week I was able to secure an Adjournment Debate on the recent increases to car parking charges at Rugby Railway Station. I know that this is an important issue to many local residents who rely on our excellent transport links.
Adjournment debates, held at the end of business in Parliament, are an excellent way for MPs to draw attention to specific issues and for the relevant Government Minister to respond. During my speech, I highlighted that over 2 million people use Rugby Station each year and it is therefore of concern that Virgin Trains, as the operator of Rugby Station, have chosen to increase car parking charges from £6 a day to £9 a day, whilst simultaneously abolishing the off-peak price of £4. I received a number of emails from constituents who were very worried that the increase in charges, combined with the extremely short notice, would make using Rugby Station a less attractive prospect. Since the increases were announced, I have met with Rugby Rail Users Group and I have also raised this matter directly with Virgin Trains.
In Parliament I made clear the importance of this issue to Rugby residents and asked the Minister with responsibility for rail, Paul Maynard MP, to consider including in new rail franchises the pricing of car parks owned by rail operators such as Virgin. I was also grateful to receive cross-party support on this issue from Jim Cunningham MP who represents Coventry South. This issue cuts across party lines and demonstrate how important it is that Members of Parliament work together for the benefit of their constituents.
Another opportunity to raise issues of local or national concern in the Chamber comes in the form of questions to Government Ministers. I was able to raise with the new Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, the Rt. Hon. David Davis MP, the importance of the automotive industry and the resulting supply chain to businesses such as Automotive Insulations, based here in Rugby.
I welcome that the Secretary of State was able to confirm that the Government will be working closely with businesses to ensure that Britain remains a great country to invest in. I will continue to work on behalf of Rugby residents to ensure that as we leave the EU, we get the best possible deal for the British people and take full advantage of the opportunities of being an independent, sovereign trading nation.