Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the time taken by Network Rail to reach GRIP 3 single option selection of the East West Rail Western Section Phase Two on the delivery timetable of that project.

Network Rail carried out an extensive process involving the East West Rail Consortium and representatives from Train Operators to identify options for the scope of East West Rail Phase 2. This took into account the views of key stakeholders to identify the best options to take forward to a more detailed level of development. Network Rail have advised that they have now completed GRIP stage 2 and have begun consultations with local people and businesses prior to seeking the necessary powers to deliver the scheme.