Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending High Speed rail services from Ashford to Eastbourne; and if he will make a statement.

Ministers have approved the entry of the Kent and East Sussex Coastal Connectivity Scheme to formally enter the Government’s rail enhancements pipeline. The Department and East Sussex County Council are funding the production of a Strategic Outline Business Case, due early 2021. As well as exploring options to create a new link to High Speed 1, this programme is considering options for a range of upgrades to the Marshlink line between Ashford and Hastings.